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10771 illustrations evoking hope
"Abundant life is theosis—participation in divine life. God became human that humans might become divine. The thief is death and corruption; Christ brings incorruption and immortality. Life abundant is union with God, sharing His energies, becoming by grace what He is by nature." — St.
"Keep your mind in hell and despair not—because God's love reaches even there. Perfect love casts out fear because divine love is infinite, uncreated, all-embracing. In theosis, we participate in this love; fear dissolves as we are enveloped in the Divine.
"'Fear not'—spoken to those with every reason to fear: death squads, poverty, powerlessness. God is with the threatened. His righteous right hand upholds those fighting for justice. Fear not—not because danger is absent but because God is present with the persecuted." — Oscar Romero.
"This is eternal security: nothing in all creation—not tribulation, not antichrist, not the wrath to come—can separate believers from Christ's love. We are sealed until redemption's day. The love that chose us before time will hold us through time into eternity." — Charles Ryrie.
"Philippians 4:13 in context is about contentment in any circumstance—plenty or hunger, abundance or need. The missionary learns: I can be content anywhere because Christ sustains me. This contentment frees us for mission; we don't need ideal circumstances to serve." — Tim Keller.
"Don't lose heart—YOU are being renewed. YOUR troubles are light; YOUR glory will be eternal. Fix YOUR eyes on what YOU cannot see but CAN trust. YOUR body may weaken; YOUR spirit grows stronger. This is YOUR promise: what awaits...
"As the age progresses toward its climax, anxiety increases—wars, rumors of wars, economic uncertainty. But Jesus' word stands: 'Do not worry.' The Father who provided through every dispensation will provide through the last. His faithfulness is not age-dependent." — Warren Wiersbe.
"The waters do not overflow because God limits them. The fire does not burn because God controls it. This is sovereignty in suffering—not that we escape, but that we are preserved. God's presence is purposeful; His protection is precise. Nothing...
"God goes BEFORE you—He's already setting things up! That job, that breakthrough, that healing—He's preparing it NOW! He is WITH you—supernatural presence for supernatural living! He will NEVER leave—no matter what you face! Walk in BOLDLY; God has gone ahead!" — T.D.
"God doesn't promise to exempt us from trouble; He promises to work within the trouble. And note: it says those who LOVE God. Our loving cooperation with God is part of how things work together. We are not passive; we...
"The thief steals, kills, destroys—this is the enemy's agenda. But Jesus came that we might have LIFE, and have it ABUNDANTLY! Not mere existence but overflowing life. Eternal life begins now; full life flows from the Good Shepherd. This is...
"The crucified peoples know bodily wasting—martyrdom, poverty, violence. But inner renewal persists; hope refuses to die. Light affliction? The suffering is not light—but the coming glory is heavier still. Eyes fixed on the kingdom of justice, the poor endure." — Jon Sobrino.
"To delight in the Lord is to delight in Christ—His person, His work, His presence. Jesus is the Yes to every desire of the human heart. In Him we find what we truly want.
"I AM come that they might have LIFE—Christ Himself is the life. Not our works, not our striving, but HE. The thief's way is law that kills; Christ's way is gospel that gives life. Receive Him; receive life. It is...
"YOU have a race set before YOU—not someone else's race, YOURS. Run it with endurance. Lay aside what holds YOU back. Keep YOUR eyes on Jesus. The witnesses are cheering YOU on. YOUR finish line awaits. Don't give up on...
"I believe that God can and will bring good out of evil, even out of the greatest evil. For that purpose He needs human beings who make the best use of everything.
"God wipes the tears of the oppressed—tears from slavery, from lynching, from exile. The spirituals sang of this: 'No more weepin' and wailin'! No more death from injustice; no more mourning from violence. The disinherited inherit; the crucified rise." — Howard Thurman.
"If any lacks wisdom—and who does not?—let him ASK of God. Not buy, not earn, not discover through speculation—ASK. God gives generously and without reproach. He does not mock the asker or shame the ignorant. Ask boldly; receive abundantly." — Charles Spurgeon.
"The renewed mind sees with missionary eyes: discerning God's will for this context, this culture, this moment. We do not conform to the patterns of our mission field, nor impose our own patterns. We are transformed to discern God's good purposes everywhere." — Lesslie Newbigin.
"YOU taste and YOU see—this is personal experience. Others can tell you God is good; YOU must discover it for YOURSELF. Come to Christ personally; experience Him individually. No one can taste for you; no one can see for you.
"Jesus is archegos—pioneer, author, founder. He ran the race first; He blazed the trail through death to resurrection. Looking to Jesus is not mere inspiration but participation: we run in His footsteps, by His power, toward His glory. Christ is...
"The waters of oppression threatened to overwhelm—Middle Passage, slavery, Jim Crow. The fires of hatred burned. But God brought His people through. 'Deep river, my home is over Jordan'—the spiritual testifies to survival. We pass through because God is with us." — Howard Thurman.
"Grace saves us INTO something: the new creation already begun in Christ. We are saved by grace through faith—not for private salvation but for participation in God's renewal of all things. Grace rescues and recruits; we become agents of the kingdom." — N.T.
"Isaiah recalls Exodus—Red Sea parted, pillar of fire led. God who brought Israel through will bring the exiles through. And ultimately, God who raised Jesus through death brings us through every flood. This is new exodus hope: resurrection through every trial." — N.T.