Alan and Anoosh Bullock
Hope For The Journey
Copyright © 2011 by Alan Bullock - Legal Notice - All Right Reserved
An Inspirational Devotional That Will Bring Springs of Hope and Faith Into Your Life!
To purchase a copy of this book go to "Ministry Products."
I have felt hopeless several times in my life. Perhaps you can relate. When our first child David was only one year old and couldn’t breath, we rushed him to the emergency room, where he lay hanging between life and death. Standing in faith, God brought hope, mercy, and healing. There was the time a doctor told me I had colon cancer, and then one year later another doctor diagnosed me with a small tumor next to my brain. Once again, hope and faith found its way into my heart; along with healing and the Master's touch. I remember landing my bush plane at the airport in Kenai, Alaska, hitting a pocket of ice and sliding sideways nearly crashing into a row of parked aircraft, but God spared my life once again. Then there was that huge bear that stood just seven feet away and leaped forward to have me for dinner. I was hoping God would be there as I called out to Him during each of these trials, and He was. Hope for the Christian stands strong as an indication of certainty, It’s a tower of peaceful assurance. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.” Hope stresses two things: (a) future deliverance, and (b) invisible expectation. Hope means we haven’t given up and we won’t give up. Hope is the Treasure Life is Made Of.
Once you choose hope, anything's possible.
Christopher Reeve
Psalms 33:18-22 “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
David, the son of Jesse. Prophet, Priest, King; a man after God’s own heart.
Our Beacon of Hope
I did not see Him die on the tree Or touch the nail scarred hands.
Nor see the leper healed of his disease,
Or walk with Him on Galilee’s sand.
yet, I believe that He is Lord
Though I didn’t see the empty tomb;
Or stand by Him at Golgotha’s’ ford,
But I sense His presence in my room.
For I see His face in every flower,
And His blood in every rose.
He is the light in my darkest hour,
A beacon of hope that ever glows.
The Word and Nature -- A Reflection of Him
As Christians we often wonder what it would have been like to walk along the shore of Galilee with Jesus and hear him teach; watch Him heal the leper, open the eyes of the blind man and turn five loaves and two fish into enough food to feed five thousand. To have stood next to Him as He said, “Lazarus come forth,” and watched as a man dead for days came back to life. While it is true that you and I weren’t there to see these miracles, nor stand at the foot of the cross to see Him suffer and die for our sins, we can travel back in time to experience these life changing events by reading the Bible which brings its readers hope. These true life stories are found within the pages of this most important book ever written. We can read about Him in one of the 6 billion Bibles that have been published or we can see Him still shining out through the environment He created for us to live in.
The tree laden forests, oceans and streams, the billowing clouds and thunderstorms, roses and lilies of the field, stunning mountain peaks and every snowflake eloquently argue for the existence of a master creator God. They leave their impression upon the heart of man. Roses are the color of His blood He shed for us at Calvary. Mountains are a sign of his strength; the sky represents his wide and endless love. The air we breathe sings of his ability to sustain us in the most difficult of situations, and the rainbow is a unique multifaceted beauty of creativity after a storm. The clouds whisper that our storms will pass away because He cares for us. A tree reminds us of the Cross and sparrows remind us of His provision and caring for even the little things in life. If you are experiencing a wintery season in your life, and spring has yet to bring fresh flowers of hope and rest, take a moment to pray, ask the Lord to fill you with His presence and know that His light of love will shine as a mighty beacon of hope penetrating the darkness and granting you victory over insurmountable odds. Christ is our Beacon of Hope!
"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 33.18).
“Hope is the supernatural grace God grants us to walk with during our darker moments until we get to the light.”
God Is In Control
Where does the mighty wind come from,
How does it vanish without a trace?
Does it appear when He whispers, “come!”
Then hide in a corridor of eternity’s space?
How does the sun know it’s time to appear,And surrender its light at day’s end?
How does it maintain its heated sphere,
Against the freezing winters to defend?
Why doesn’t the moon fall from the sky,
And cease to give light in the night?
An illumination to travelers passing by;
A clear beacon of hope so bright.
Why don’t all the stars fail to appear,
And cease to sparkle for mortal man?
Such things are hard to comprehend,
But it’s all a part of God’s master plan.
By His Word, each obeys His command,
Knowing their boundaries by His will.
Held in harmony by His mighty hand,
Their duties to Christ they must fulfill.
The fish of the sea team within the ocean,
A golden hawk soars on billows of air;
All the galaxies of space in perfect motion,
Show humanity that God’s power is there.
Grant Us Confidence to Know You Care
When the Christian’s mind turns to nature, his heart turns toward God in faith, awe and wonder. The Bible says in Psalm 24:1. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it, for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.” One of the Bible’s very prominent themes is that of God as Creator. As Creator, God is in Divine control over the heavens and the earth. The forces of nature are at His disposal, carrying out His purposes. Nature reveals: His holiness, His glory, His wisdom and His power. As we fill our minds with the thought that God is in control, it reminds us that He is always there for not only His creation, but for us as well. Most of us have sensed God’s presence through nature at one time or another, perhaps while looking at a beautiful snow-peaked mountain, or walking through the woods or breathing in the salt spray of the ocean. In the same manner God wants us to experience His presence in our everyday lives.
The same God that created the giant redwood tree, hung the stars, sun and moon in their place, knows how to take care of you and me. Whether you look at the beauty of a mountain or pause by a quiet stream, remember to look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter what is pressing in on you, remember that the Lord of all is in control of all. In disquieting times, it's good for us to remember how much more valuable we are in God's sight than the mountains, rivers and even the little sparrows. Our Creator gives us wonderful, reassuring promises, and asks us to trust Him like the little birds. If He feeds, provides, and watches over even the tiniest of birds, how much more will He his children? Immensely so! God is in control dear friend and He will take care of you!
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29).
There is nothing so valuable as that which was impossible yet received when all else failed, when hope brought us the desired results.
More of Him
I thirst O Lord as I cross the waterless places of life,
As I seek the Rock hewn from Thee, in times of strife.
I am the deer that pants for a cup of water to drink,
Guide me O Lord to the edge of Thy holy river’s brink.
I long for the intimate noble fellowship with Him:
The Provider, Guide to those whom He calls friend.
Let Thy boundless love fill my thirsty soul to the brim,
Where life’s seasons of darkness turn to light again.
Timeless Voice of heaven ringing from eternity past,
Light a fire of holiness and passion for Thee as I fast.
I long for the One who gave His life at the cross,
Winning heaven’s throne by suffering shame and loss.
To Know You More Fully
The Apostle Peter was far from perfect, especially when he first began to follow the Lord. I suppose of all the New Testament Apostles, Peter wouldn’t be allowed to register grievances at the customer service counter of Christianity. Peter’s darkest hour was when he denied the Lord three times. (Mark 14:66-68). Early on, he lacked faith, humility, spiritual understanding and the power needed to stay committed. Impetuous? Yes, yet Peter continued to follow Christ and always longed to be with Him. Like all the early Disciples we too need to trust Him as our Provider, Guide and best Friend. Like Peter, we too have desires; many are fueled by our need for something more -- to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. On our darkest or brightest days, people need hope. Christ will always champion hope in our lives. Jesus is the only One who ever knocked out the devil in the first round. When the right hand of hope and the left hand of confidence hit the devil in the jaw, he didn’t stand a chance.
Like a thirsty deer by the brook, (Psa 42.1), we long to quench the dry and thirsty seasons in our life with a hope that never fails. Hope gives us that same knock-out power over the devil. Someone once said that the church is God’s fireplace. Then His Son must be the match that lights the fire. Eric Liddell in the movie Chariots of Fire said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His presence.” Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross of suffering and loss so that you and I could know the awesome feeling of having a fire in our hearts for God that the devil can never extinguish. Waiting on the Lord as we walk through the fire builds endurance, determination and hope. While running the race of life we have the assurance He will always be there for us. (Heb 13.5). Like Peter, if we stumble along the way, we won’t give up until we have more of Him in our lives and are saturated with His presence. The hope and faith that Peter ultimately possessed which revolutionized his life is ours for the asking.
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psa 34.4).
“Hope’s power breaks the yoke of fear and doubt and brings new life to all who embrace it.”
Hope gives us spiritual sight to see impossible things made possible though great opposition be against us!
Once you choose hope, anything's possible.
Christopher Reeve
Psalms 33:18-22 “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
David, the son of Jesse. Prophet, Priest, King; a man after God’s own heart.
Our Beacon of Hope
I did not see Him die on the tree Or touch the nail scarred hands.
Nor see the leper healed of his disease,
Or walk with Him on Galilee’s sand.
yet, I believe that He is Lord
Though I didn’t see the empty tomb;
Or stand by Him at Golgotha’s’ ford,
But I sense His presence in my room.
For I see His face in every flower,
And His blood in every rose.
He is the light in my darkest hour,
A beacon of hope that ever glows.
The Word and Nature -- A Reflection of Him
As Christians we often wonder what it would have been like to walk along the shore of Galilee with Jesus and hear him teach; watch Him heal the leper, open the eyes of the blind man and turn five loaves and two fish into enough food to feed five thousand. To have stood next to Him as He said, “Lazarus come forth,” and watched as a man dead for days came back to life. While it is true that you and I weren’t there to see these miracles, nor stand at the foot of the cross to see Him suffer and die for our sins, we can travel back in time to experience these life changing events by reading the Bible which brings its readers hope. These true life stories are found within the pages of this most important book ever written. We can read about Him in one of the 6 billion Bibles that have been published or we can see Him still shining out through the environment He created for us to live in.
The tree laden forests, oceans and streams, the billowing clouds and thunderstorms, roses and lilies of the field, stunning mountain peaks and every snowflake eloquently argue for the existence of a master creator God. They leave their impression upon the heart of man. Roses are the color of His blood He shed for us at Calvary. Mountains are a sign of his strength; the sky represents his wide and endless love. The air we breathe sings of his ability to sustain us in the most difficult of situations, and the rainbow is a unique multifaceted beauty of creativity after a storm. The clouds whisper that our storms will pass away because He cares for us. A tree reminds us of the Cross and sparrows remind us of His provision and caring for even the little things in life. If you are experiencing a wintery season in your life, and spring has yet to bring fresh flowers of hope and rest, take a moment to pray, ask the Lord to fill you with His presence and know that His light of love will shine as a mighty beacon of hope penetrating the darkness and granting you victory over insurmountable odds. Christ is our Beacon of Hope!
"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 33.18).
“Hope is the supernatural grace God grants us to walk with during our darker moments until we get to the light.”
God Is In Control
Where does the mighty wind come from,
How does it vanish without a trace?
Does it appear when He whispers, “come!”
Then hide in a corridor of eternity’s space?
How does the sun know it’s time to appear,And surrender its light at day’s end?
How does it maintain its heated sphere,
Against the freezing winters to defend?
Why doesn’t the moon fall from the sky,
And cease to give light in the night?
An illumination to travelers passing by;
A clear beacon of hope so bright.
Why don’t all the stars fail to appear,
And cease to sparkle for mortal man?
Such things are hard to comprehend,
But it’s all a part of God’s master plan.
By His Word, each obeys His command,
Knowing their boundaries by His will.
Held in harmony by His mighty hand,
Their duties to Christ they must fulfill.
The fish of the sea team within the ocean,
A golden hawk soars on billows of air;
All the galaxies of space in perfect motion,
Show humanity that God’s power is there.
Grant Us Confidence to Know You Care
When the Christian’s mind turns to nature, his heart turns toward God in faith, awe and wonder. The Bible says in Psalm 24:1. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it, for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.” One of the Bible’s very prominent themes is that of God as Creator. As Creator, God is in Divine control over the heavens and the earth. The forces of nature are at His disposal, carrying out His purposes. Nature reveals: His holiness, His glory, His wisdom and His power. As we fill our minds with the thought that God is in control, it reminds us that He is always there for not only His creation, but for us as well. Most of us have sensed God’s presence through nature at one time or another, perhaps while looking at a beautiful snow-peaked mountain, or walking through the woods or breathing in the salt spray of the ocean. In the same manner God wants us to experience His presence in our everyday lives.
The same God that created the giant redwood tree, hung the stars, sun and moon in their place, knows how to take care of you and me. Whether you look at the beauty of a mountain or pause by a quiet stream, remember to look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter what is pressing in on you, remember that the Lord of all is in control of all. In disquieting times, it's good for us to remember how much more valuable we are in God's sight than the mountains, rivers and even the little sparrows. Our Creator gives us wonderful, reassuring promises, and asks us to trust Him like the little birds. If He feeds, provides, and watches over even the tiniest of birds, how much more will He his children? Immensely so! God is in control dear friend and He will take care of you!
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29).
There is nothing so valuable as that which was impossible yet received when all else failed, when hope brought us the desired results.
More of Him
I thirst O Lord as I cross the waterless places of life,
As I seek the Rock hewn from Thee, in times of strife.
I am the deer that pants for a cup of water to drink,
Guide me O Lord to the edge of Thy holy river’s brink.
I long for the intimate noble fellowship with Him:
The Provider, Guide to those whom He calls friend.
Let Thy boundless love fill my thirsty soul to the brim,
Where life’s seasons of darkness turn to light again.
Timeless Voice of heaven ringing from eternity past,
Light a fire of holiness and passion for Thee as I fast.
I long for the One who gave His life at the cross,
Winning heaven’s throne by suffering shame and loss.
To Know You More Fully
The Apostle Peter was far from perfect, especially when he first began to follow the Lord. I suppose of all the New Testament Apostles, Peter wouldn’t be allowed to register grievances at the customer service counter of Christianity. Peter’s darkest hour was when he denied the Lord three times. (Mark 14:66-68). Early on, he lacked faith, humility, spiritual understanding and the power needed to stay committed. Impetuous? Yes, yet Peter continued to follow Christ and always longed to be with Him. Like all the early Disciples we too need to trust Him as our Provider, Guide and best Friend. Like Peter, we too have desires; many are fueled by our need for something more -- to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. On our darkest or brightest days, people need hope. Christ will always champion hope in our lives. Jesus is the only One who ever knocked out the devil in the first round. When the right hand of hope and the left hand of confidence hit the devil in the jaw, he didn’t stand a chance.
Like a thirsty deer by the brook, (Psa 42.1), we long to quench the dry and thirsty seasons in our life with a hope that never fails. Hope gives us that same knock-out power over the devil. Someone once said that the church is God’s fireplace. Then His Son must be the match that lights the fire. Eric Liddell in the movie Chariots of Fire said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His presence.” Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross of suffering and loss so that you and I could know the awesome feeling of having a fire in our hearts for God that the devil can never extinguish. Waiting on the Lord as we walk through the fire builds endurance, determination and hope. While running the race of life we have the assurance He will always be there for us. (Heb 13.5). Like Peter, if we stumble along the way, we won’t give up until we have more of Him in our lives and are saturated with His presence. The hope and faith that Peter ultimately possessed which revolutionized his life is ours for the asking.
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psa 34.4).
“Hope’s power breaks the yoke of fear and doubt and brings new life to all who embrace it.”
Hope gives us spiritual sight to see impossible things made possible though great opposition be against us!