Earlier this week I was sharing my life story.

I concluded my monologue with the words, I have hope and HOPE does not disappoint us. 

Do you have hope?

 

Hope :: Hope will never disappoint us :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This week we hit a few new challenges in our journey in the “in between.”

Frankly, aside from trusting God, I could throw up my hands in despair.

In sharing my story I realized that I am living in hope.

 

My hope is not the kind you can conjure up.

It’s not hope based on positive thinking….though I do believe we need to choose a positive outlook.

It’s simply based on knowing God and believing that he is my hope.

 

After I wrote those concluding words, I had to find the source.

I couldn’t remember where in the Bible I had read them.

So, I Googled Bible Gateway with the phrase and voila! I found the verse.

 

The verse actually reads…

And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. 

It’s from the Book of Romans in the Bible.  Chapter 5 verse 5.

 

And this hope will never disappoint us... from Romans 5:5 :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This past week, I have been slowly making my way through the Book of Romans.

Don’t you love how God’s word gets tucked away in the recesses of your heart and mind as you read the Bible?

I am so grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit, applying God’s truths to my everyday life.

 

As I went back and read the verse in context of the chapter everything came together.

Here it is…

Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who through our faith has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory.  We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience.  And patience produces character, and character produces hope.  And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.  

                                                                Romans 5:1-5  New Century Version

 

I love how the passage confirms the confidence we have in God because of the choice we made to become a follower of Jesus.

It also speaks to the difficulties that come from living in this very fallen world.

And even more, the silver lining, so to speak, that comes from or through these difficulties.

 

Who would guess that our troubles would produce patience, which in turn builds character, which in turn gives us hope.

Not a pie in the sky hope either.

A hope that will never disappoint us.

 

Wow!  Never disappoint us.

Lots of things have disappointed me.

I’m pretty sure that I’ve disappointed my family, friends, and co-workers, as well.

 

Hope does not disappoint :: Spring Hope :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

What’s the security deposit for this hope?

God’s love.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

What is it that is causing you to be discouraged?  Even hopeless?

You have every reason to hope.  Every reason to look ahead with expectation.

Every reason to live in victory.

 

Sure…we still may have those troubles.

But, those troubles are producing patience, character, and hope.

And hope trumps all.

 

Now when you say you have hope, you know why.

When you doubt and think you are without hope…read Romans 5:1-5.

God gave you his love and secured it with the Holy Spirit who is your comforter and guide.

 

Go live in this extraordinary hope…

 

 Joy Day! :: Hope :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Today is Joy Day!

 

I’ve been hearing it from so many.  Joy Day! seems to be the day you look forward to.  I am so blessed that you would join me each week…looking back over the past week and join me in counting the gifts and blessings from the week.  I’m reminded that some gifts aren’t exactly pleasant (but many produce hope).  Yet, in all things we are to give thanks.

Please join me in counting just ‘seven’ from the past week.

I’ll start…

God, I’m so thankful for…

  1. seeing my favorite Great Blue Herons this week.
  2. birdsong and seeing Red Winged Black Birds, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Sand Cranes, Cardinals, and Robins.
  3. hope you placed in my heart and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
  4. your promises….all YES! in Christ Jesus!
  5. the fun of decorating a cake for the first time with my friend.
  6. creativity that I thought left me.
  7. knowing you really do “give us this day our daily bread.”


Now it’s YOUR turn!!

Join me in counting ‘seven.’
Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’
I dare you!

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully,

Diane

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Sharing at these Extraordinary spots:
Boogieboard Cottage + I Should Be Mopping the Floor + Create with Joy + Uncommon Designs + A Life in Balance + Carrie this Home + The Wellspring + The Dedicated House + A Holy Experience + Time Warp Wife + We are THAT Family + Polka Dots on Parade + Mums Make Lists + Katherine’s Corner + Imparting Grace + My Freshly Brewed Life + The View From Right There

Comments

  1. Debbi Saunders says

    I am so Thankful and grateful for:
    l. a word from God when I need it most through special people he has chosen to use!
    2.His promises, hope and encouragements written in the Bible.
    3. His fulfillment of his Promises in his perfect timing!
    4. that He will pick me up and set me back on the right path when I have fallen!
    5. that He always meets me where I am at any given time!
    6. That He already knows my struggles and needs and has gone before to make straight the crooked places and to place the right people and opportunities and circumstances that I will need, in my life to fulfill his will for my life! Even when I can not see the way!
    7. I am so thankful and grateful that I have grown so much on my faith journey that he has used me and continues to use and expand His ministry for me, even in my brokenness!

  2. Renee says

    I am thankful for many things that it was hard to limit to seven things……
    1. We are into the cottage, and slept there for the first time last night!
    2. My back is doing so much better, and phy. therp. is helping and not kicking me down like it was.
    3. Got a lot of things done at work this week and so feel good about that.
    4. Boxes are leaving as we unpack and get settled in and it is beginning to look like home.
    5. Appreciate the help and support from our kids to get moved and settled in.
    6. My wonderful husband and his support as we move, and get settled in.
    7. Today the sun is shinning and it is a little warmer and the snow from yesterday is melting away.

  3. I needed this encouragement today. Love that verse and your photography is gorgeous always. YOUR posts definitely are witnessing to many people. Sending blessings YOUR way this beautiful Sunday..

  4. Gwen says

    What a witness this long and dry road has led you to become to me.
    Just think if I opened up Joy Day and it said,”I’ve thrown in the towel, my load of crafts, my camera and computer. No more from me. Stay warm. I will pray you get a weekly example of being ministered to from someone going through trials yet still writing praises to The Lord. So best to you all! ~ Diane”
    Why we’d all be so shocked and sputtering in unison say, “bbbbbut we look forward to our teacher’s insights into God’s Word in the good times and lean times. Bbbbbut we are to stay warm? On what? Empty prayers? We are confused!!!”
    But you do not do this. You search the Scripture to learn new insights in God’s Word. You stay faithful and Trust Him who says I will supply all your needs from My riches in glory.
    Like Paul, your witness grows even stronger the harder your earthly circumstances become. And as Paul, from your “pit experiences” have come your best writings of encouragement to us. The photos capture: Oh my little children, I have many little blessings peeking out to bless your day. Can you see the blade poking through the earth? That bright yellow speckled ball? The Jack in the Pulpit? The birds?? These are blessings given to you for free!! And if you look to these little things, you will begin to find JOYS every day, even in dark days of sorrow, sickness and dying. ”
    So with this in mind, after a week of the strangest “attacks” and then physical strange things, I’m just so very weary, there is also JOY
    1. Mom felt better by end of week and we had some good talks when I was needing some help.
    2. Cast off drop foot foot. Feet sore. Paralysis. But I can hobble walk!
    3. Friends without me saying a thing surrounded me with their presence on just the days I needed it. A joy-gift from God!
    4. Many answered prayers within our email Bible study group
    5. A new oncologist for Curt and we see a positive new help from this for him!
    6. Both my girls visited at different times and it was good. Curts son was over within 20 minutes to help change the immersible pump on our two piece heavy fountain.
    7. My sisters and brother. How I love them

    • Mel says

      AMEN to what you said Gwen. And thank you for saying what I’ve been trying to find the words TO say.

  5. Mel says

    What an amazing message, so eloquently shared through words and photographs. I’m humbled by the message. I’ve had more than my share of “not fair” moments. And trust me when I say they do NOTHING for my character.
    And even still, I KNOW how graced I am…..
    The joys….
    –the 4 year old whirlwind visited for four days!! (We’ll be sleeping good tonight!! LOL!!)
    –there were four days of PLAY…kite flying and garland making and FUN (…boy will we sleep!! LOL!!)
    –there will be another week of ineffectively treated pain before being seen at the pain clinic.
    –hearing “I love you, grandad.”
    –the birdsong in my morning is deliciously deafening.
    –knowing I’m entering a new journey, not of my choosing….and having HOPE.
    –coming here and always leaving a bit lighter, a bit more JOYful and HOPEful.

    ((((Diane))))) Blessings and prayers…and many, many thanks.

  6. Betty Brown says

    I am thankful that after a trip to the er last night I was able to bring my husband home,the strength God gives me to hang on,seeing my son attending CHURCH and seeking God’s plan for his life,the sun when it shines and lifts the spirit,going to the grocery and buying what I want cause there have been times when I was unsure where a meal was gonna come from,a sister in law that I can share anything with,God’s love for me even when I feel I am a total failure.

  7. Hope in Christ is often he only thing I have to cling to! I used these verses in my blog post today too!
    http://www.faithfulmomof9.com/true-confessions-my-spiritual-crisis/
    Thanks for sharing your insight. I needed a spiritual “booster shot” today!

  8. I have the same hope you do and it NEVER disappoints! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!

  9. Blessings, Diane! Joyful to meet you from Katherine’s blog hop this week! A kindred spirit and it looks like we use the same dictionary of words to flavor the facets of our life. Following you on all fronts, milady! Here’s my seven:
    1. Glorious time in the Word this morning!
    2. The warmth of my cat cuddling beside me on a cold day!
    3. Sunshine and 45 degree high today! (Overnight it was 16 degrees)
    4. Inspired ideas to turn to beautiful things!
    5. One more cup of soup for lunch!
    6. Work that is my passion – not my prison!
    7. All Things Bright & Beautiful launched – my new link-up, long awaited!

    Do visit – my devotional this week is on HOPE, too, so I rejoiced in your topic today. Hope you’ll link in with me so I can introduce you to my readers. Hoping to build a monthly “hub” community of women in the Lord who celebrate Christ with joy at all junctures!
    Joy!
    Kathy at The Writer’s Reverie

  10. Striking photos – and beautiful encouragement written here! His hope never disappoints – just learning to live in the wait of a prayer sent out – learning to live Hope – be graceful in that living – I am working on that!. Wishing you blessing and joy this week!

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