"Sometimes while I'm talking to God, He'll show me something about myself in such a way that I have to laugh at my own humanity and how funny I must look to Him." - Donna

Donna...just found your blog...I absolutely love it! And I love your singing! I'm at work right now and it was just exactly what I needed to hear to help me make it through tonight! Thanks for your ministry here!
- Robert

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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Living With Expectancy



“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”Philippians 3:13-14

Every year at this time a lot of people make many promises. Some of the New Year’s Resolutions I have heard (or made) are:

“I am going to pray an hour each day.”
“I intend to read the entire Bible!”
“I will lose thirty pounds!”
“I promise to be nice to everyone I meet.”

By the end of January, the list looks more like this:

“I am going to pray when I can.”
“I intend to read the New Testament or at least the Gospel of John.”
“Each day, I’m going to eat a little less.”

And last but not least, “I will not snap the head off of everyone I meet!”

We start the year off with great expectancy, but many times our hopes are dashed by the trials and events of life. But even if the events of this world assault our senses and threaten our safety, we still have hope in the Lord. The Bible says in Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

A slew of books and articles are written at the beginning of each year about getting organized and simplifying your life. I taught a Sunday School lesson titled “Living with Eternity in Mind.” What a great thought! It occurred to me there would be no better way to simplify life than to question our worries and obligations with, “Will this matter for eternity?”

I thank God we have hope in the midst of trials. God has not only provided for our salvation through Jesus Christ, but the Holy Spirit is in our midst to comfort us and give us peace. What kind of life would we have if we had no hope? If we live with eternity and expectation in mind, I believe we have a more positive outlook every day of our lives. We won’t spend our lives looking back with regret, but will, as Paul told the Philippians, look ahead toward our goal. We have hope.

As we begin a new year, this verse is my prayer for all who read this: Romans 15:13- “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Let’s live each day to its fullest and make every day count for eternity.

Prayer: God, I thank You for each day you grant to me. Help me to be diligent in using each day for Your glory. Thank You for the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus. In His Name I pray. Amen.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am SOOOO thankful for hope in eternity!! How do non-Christians survive from day to day without that hope - without even knowing there IS hope?? I have always been in church, so I often wonder how people manage without God in their lives. Just Sunday evening, I was reading an email & God gave me this little thought: "With the help of God, I know I can make it through, even if I have to crawl!" I wanted to share it with you & anyone else who reads your comments - maybe it can be of some help to someone other than me. Keep up the good work! God will continue blessing you for being a blessing to others!
geraldine

Anonymous said...

i loved your devotional, donna. i loved your thoughts, and really enjoyed your piece, but then ... i am such a fan of your work. it was truly a wonderful piece! blessings, dear ... dori

Dori Knight

Rhodi Alers de López said...

Donna:
It's so refreshing to read your posts. I thank God for the HOPE he's given me and every one who believes in him. I've often asked myself: "Where would I be if it were not for the love and hope that God has given me?"

It's been my daily prayer to live with eternity in mind, to be concerned with God's will for my life, and to help others know our Saviour better in any way I can.

You continue to bless each of your readers. Thanks for being an instrument of the Lord.

Anonymous said...

Donna,

You are doing awesome work. Are you getting credit for the people you refer to the book sites?

Blessings,
Dotsie Bregel
Join me in the forums at, www.boomerwomenspeak.com, and see how wise, warm, and witty baby boomer women are connecting, encouraging, and supporting one another every day.

Anonymous said...

Donna,

It's always a pleasure and a peaceful respite when I come to your site. I come away from reading your words and feel more positive and hopeful.

Thank you.

Toni

Media Online said...

Thank you for the encouraging thoughts. May God continue to bless your ministry!

Brad Zockoll

http://drzockoll.blogspot.com/

Luther@Living in Grace said...

All of our time is His from the outset. We are blessed to live through today and see tomorrow and have one more oppurtunity to serve and Glorify our Lord

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