Faith Everyday Archives - Page 3 of 36

40 Promises of God When You Need Hope

07.28.2018 By Lisa Appelo 17 Comments

I’ve been at youth camp most of the week teaching middle school girls and just before leaving, I learned of a family’s loss of their husband and father. Then, on day 2 of camp, my feed filled with news of another tragic death, leaving a husband and girls without their mom.

These events are so mixed for me. There is ache for their deep loss. There is anger at the enemy who wants to steal, kill and destroy. But there is also a knowing — that in their anguish, God will carry them.

Any kind of grief is excruciating work. It’s a daily going to God to exchange our despair for his sure hope. When your heart’s broken or life hits hard, here are 40 promises of God when you need hope.

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Hope Is Not Named Boaz

07.19.2018 By Lisa Appelo 45 Comments

Some things feel too vulnerable to share.

And while I’d prefer to keep the deepest layers of my heart tucked safely in, sometimes we just need the relief of realizing that someone else walking a similar path has experienced the same emotions and reactions we’re experiencing.

So while it feels a bit risky, it’s worth it if it lifts another sister up, redirects our heart and helps us live where we are and love where we are.

Because I was caught off guard at how soon after Dan’s death I became obsessed with remarrying.

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When God Doesn’t Give the Miracle You Prayed For

07.06.2018 By Lisa Appelo 14 Comments

When God Doesn't Give the Miracle You Prayed For

The headline made me stop scrolling: “Man Declared Dead, Comes Back to Life After 45 Minutes.”

I clicked through to read the details. The man’s wife had been woken up by his irregular breathing. Without any warning, he’d gone into full cardiac arrest and was rushed to the emergency room. The doctors had done all they could to revive him, but he was later pronounced dead.

When family was called into his room to say goodbye, his son stridently declared out loud that his dad would not die that day. Minutes later, the father’s heart began to beat irregularly and a week later he left the hospital. No heart transplant needed. No vegetative state. He was fully recovered.

Doctors were stunned and they declared it a miracle. The father said prayers and God’s work had saved him.

We’d also prayed for a miracle and begged God to restart a heart.

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Steadiness in the Storm

06.21.2018 By Lisa Appelo 8 Comments

Katie Reid is a busy mom of five and wife of a youth pastor who readily admits she’s been made like Martha. I met Katie a couple of years ago as we crossed online paths in writing circles and immediately found her generous and encouraging. Her upcoming release, Made Like Martha, will help modern day Marthas embrace and tailor their strengths. Happy to welcome Katie today as the first in our summer author series.

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The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.

–Elisabeth Elliott

There is a scene in the movie Mary Poppins where Mr. and Mrs. Banks are trying to hire a new nanny for their children. A large number of potential employees are lined up on Cherry Tree Lane, outside the Banks’ home.

All of a sudden, the wind picks up and blows the waiting nannies into the London sky. Mary Poppins then gracefully floats down from the clouds, using her umbrella as a parachute of sorts. She arrives at the front door of the Banks’ home—rosy cheeked and confident, carpet bag in hand. She quite literally blows away the competition.

My dad used to reenact this “flying nannies” moment. Before bedtime my three siblings and I pretended to be asleep on the living room floor. As we waited, we closed our eyes and tried not to giggle as we anticipated what was to come.

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5 Lies the Enemy Wants Every Christian to Believe

06.16.2018 By Lisa Appelo 3 Comments

I admit I don’t like to talk about the enemy. I’d rather hit block and and go about my day.

While I’m busy wrangling children, meeting work deadlines and coordinating the week’s schedule, I forget there’s a battle raging against me – and for me.

There’s a 24/7 battle against you, too.

It often comes as thinly-disguised lies that Satan first debuted in Genesis 3. See if you recognize any of the 5 lies the enemy wants every Christian to believe.

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