Hope for the Heart Marilyn Baker

Hope for the heart - Not giving up in prayer

Luke 18:1-18 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Rest for the heart - When we are fragile

Isaiah 42:3 New International Version (NIV)

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Scriptures for you to read from this episode are from the NIV, NLT, The Passion and The Message translation.

Isaiah: 42-3, Psalm: 34-18, Psalm: 68 5-6, Psalm: 10-17, Isaiah: 49-13, Deuteronomy: 10-18, 2 Corinthians: 1:3-4. 

God's compassion is longing to reach out to you!

Hope for the heart - Prodigal changed

The Parable of the Lost Son

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

Read the full story: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015:11-32&version=NIV

Rest for the heart - Christ in me

Matthew 5:14-16 New International Version (NIV)

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Other scriptures quoted in this episode to explore:

John 14.16-18, John 20.22, Colossians 1.27, 2 Peter 1.3, 1 Corinthians 6.19, 2 Corinthians 6.16, John 15.5, 2 Corinthians 2.15, 2 Corinthians 2.14, Philippians 2.14

Hope for the heart - Trusting Him for wisdom

James 1:5-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he is to ask of God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.

Rest for the heart - Nothing can separate us!

As you drink in these lovely strengthening and affirming words from God himself, allow them to infiltrate your innermost being filling your heart with hope and peace. Let him draw close to you as you meditate on his love for you. Listen to the scriptures many times over the week until they become become part of who you are.

Romans 8:38-39

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[ neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hope for the heart - The danger of cynicism

“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

John 1:46

Hope is having a constant expectation of good and God wants us to overflow with hope - God promises us that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

Hope for the heart - The uniqueness of God's gift in you.

Genesis 29 - Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

Now Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger one was Rachel. There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”

Have you ever felt you have been compared to someone else and somehow found wanting? Or maybe you've been doing the comparing? This is not usually helpful. You may have felt jealous of someone else's achievements, a bit envious that they seem to have got further than you or received more attention and it's made you feel insignificant.

The wonder of God's mighty protection

For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.They will steady you with their hands to keep you from stumbling against the rocks on the trail.

Psalm 91:11-12 The Living Bible

The woman at the well

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”  When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 4:39-42 NLT