Category: <span>thoughts by Claire Colvin</span>


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

What strikes me about this verse is the phrase “a living hope.” It’s not a future hope; it’s a hope that is with us right now. We were utterly lost, condemned to die, and through Jesus we’re reborn to hope and life eternal.

I lose sight of that sometimes. In the midst of an ordinary day I forget that I have this incredible hope. When I feel weak, forgotten, worn out or left behind it’s often because I’ve taken my eyes off of the hope that Jesus bought for me on the cross.

I love the chorus in Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace.

My chains are gone,
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace.”

What a picture of hope! This is a big part of the “life to the full” that Jesus talks about in John 10:10. It’s not a life we just hope might somehow count for something. It’s life as a forgiven child of God, fashioned for a purpose. It’s the assurance that God will not waste your life. How will you live in this hope today?

Thank you God for giving me a living hope. Whatever has happened in the past, whatever might lie ahead in the future, Your hope will be there to redeem and renew. You are the reason for the joy that I have. You are my peace and my portion and my shield forever. Help me to cling to Your hope and not to my own understanding. In Your name I pray, amen.

Response: Take a close look at the thoughts that are running through your head today. Are they thoughts of hope or worry? comfort or sadness? Take these thoughts to God. Thank Him for ransoming you and ask Him to focus your mind on the living hope that is yours today.

By Claire Colvin
Used by Permission

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thoughts by Claire Colvin Thoughts by Women


“…the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” Romans 4:17b

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “This is hopeless”? Maybe the doctor said there was nothing else they could do or the papers from the lawyer said that the divorce was final. Perhaps the bills were overwhelming and the job went to someone else, again. If you’ve ever had that moment of, “OK, now what?” today’s verse is for you.

Earlier in this passage Paul reminds us of the story of Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would be a father of nations even though to Abraham (and to people he told!) it must have seemed ridiculous. Abraham and his wife were well past childbearing age. It just didn’t make sense. How was this going to work?

But as it says in Romans 4:17, God brings impossible things into being. The ERV translation even describes God as one who “speaks of things that don’t yet exist as if they are real.” We know how the story goes: Abraham became a father of nations, just as God promised. I wonder what his friends said when they heard the news?

Things that are unthinkable for us are not unimaginable to God. That can be hard to get your head around, especially if you’re a planner who likes to know how it’s going to happen. God doesn’t always tell us the how, but He does tell us over and over that we can trust Him. When you feel doubt and worry creep in, lean in to God. As you get to know God better it becomes easier and easier to trust Him, even when you’re starting over from scratch.

Father, You see today and tomorrow and the day after that. You know the things that tear at my heart today. Forgive me for the times I have foolishly tried to carry my own burdens. I give them to You now. Remind me that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light (Matthew 11:30). When I feel weighed down with “what-if and what-now”, call me back to You. I know that You rejoice over me with singing. Teach me to lean in close so I can hear Your song. Amen

Thought to Consider: Not every thought that runs through your head is from God. How do you know when a prompting is from God and when it’s Satan whispering lies?

By Claire Colvin
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Thoughts by All thoughts by Claire Colvin Thoughts by Women

devotional

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:17-19

Recently friends of mine said goodbye to their baby girl. She had been fighting a hard battle and God chose to heal her in Heaven rather than here on earth. Like David in Psalm 18, they faced the day of their disaster. Also like David, they have found that even though the foe was too strong, God was their support.

I don’t know what your life looks like today. You may be facing a situation that is too strong for you. Perhaps you feel like you’re standing on one leg and just one more thing will tip you over. Maybe you feel like your feet have been kicked out from under you. If that sounds familiar, take another look at Psalm 18:27,the Lord was my support.”

Be assured that God will rescue you. He sees you where you are today. He hears your prayers. Deliverance and redemption are coming. He will rescue you because He delights in you.

Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

If you are crying out to God today, know that He hears you. He will respond and he will not abandon you.

God, Thank you for this promise that You hear me. You will respond and You will deliver me. I may feel overwhelmed, but I will not be overwhelmed. You are the God who calms the storm, the One while brings me back to a safe harbor. Thank you for loving me far more than I can understand. Calm my beating heart today. Thank you that You are ‘the strength of my heart and my portion forever’. In Your name I pray, Amen

Thought: Is there someone in your life who is facing a strong foe today? Take some time to pray for him or her. Ask God to show you additional ways that you can encourage their family.

By Claire Colvin

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Photo credit: Craig ONeal
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Thoughts by All thoughts by Claire Colvin Thoughts by Women