HOPE

I am in several art groups on eBay. It gives me a great place to learn, make friends and talk art. eBay has recently "upgraded" their groups. One of the best additions is that each person can have a personal avatar - a small picture that represents them on each post they make in the group. This is especially fun in an art group full of creative people! Some of us have one avatar that we never change - others change their avatars often! I like change so I fall in the second group LOL!

This is my newest avatar. I painted this in the middle of my last 5 month down time. As I watched this little leaf holding on through the storms - I was reminded and encouraged to keep clinging to God and hanging on during my most difficult days.

I've hit another down time... don't know how long it will last, and it's worse than the last one which still scares me a bit.

BUT - I am clinging to HOPE!

Right now, my signature (siggy) on the bottom of every post I make on eBay reads "No wonder my heart is glad and my paintbrush sings. My body rests in HOPE!"

Here are some great statements of Hope that I am holding tight to, resting in, and rereading when I get scared. I hope they encourage you too! (most are Bible verses - but not all!)

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD

~Psalm 31:24

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”

~George Iles

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love

~Psalm 33:18

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you

Psalm 33:22

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 45:5 AND 11

"If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it mens that they are being purified"

~Oswald Chambers

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 62:5

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more

Psalm 71:14

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope

Psalm130:5

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption

Psalmn130:7

"The law works fear and wrath; grace works hope and mercy."

~Martin Luther

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Isaiah 40:31

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:19-23

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 325-26

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him

Romans 15:13

What a wonderful excercise this has been. Reminders I need to carry with me moment by moment. I hope you are encouraged too.