Look Up
Psalm 61:2 KJV says:
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
I was thinking this is a great reminder for us to look up when things are looking down.
Sometimes, when we are going through trouble, we can forget to look up and cry out to our Heavenly Father for help.
Psalm 27:5 says:
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”
What a comforting promise. And while we wait for God’s deliverance, it is good to remember what He has already done for us and for others.
I think of what God has done for me. Psalm 40:2 says:
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
So today, if things are looking down, look up.
Look to your Heavenly Father. Remember His faithfulness. And keep your eyes on Jesus, the Rock who is higher than we are.
It is always a good day when we remind each other to look up.
Richard Templin Hancock
Encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily.
Christian - forgiven - grateful
Welcome. My name is Richard Templin Hancock and I’m here to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. I'm glad you're here—let's walk this path together.
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Give Me Understanding
Give Me Understanding
Psalm 119:73 says:
“Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.” — ESV
I love the simplicity of this prayer.
God made me. He fashioned me. And because He made me, I need Him to teach me how to live.
We see something similar in Luke 24:45. Speaking of Jesus, it says:
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”
Jesus opened the minds of His disciples so they could understand the Scriptures.
And I think that is a prayer we can pray today:
“Jesus, open my understanding. Help me understand Your Word. Help me see what You want me to see, and then help me follow You.”
We don't have to figure it all out on our own. The One who created us is the One who can teach us.
So today, let's open the Bible, ask Jesus for understanding, and then simply follow Him.
Psalm 119:73 says:
“Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.” — ESV
I love the simplicity of this prayer.
God made me. He fashioned me. And because He made me, I need Him to teach me how to live.
We see something similar in Luke 24:45. Speaking of Jesus, it says:
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”
Jesus opened the minds of His disciples so they could understand the Scriptures.
And I think that is a prayer we can pray today:
“Jesus, open my understanding. Help me understand Your Word. Help me see what You want me to see, and then help me follow You.”
We don't have to figure it all out on our own. The One who created us is the One who can teach us.
So today, let's open the Bible, ask Jesus for understanding, and then simply follow Him.
Jesus Reveals God
Jesus Reveals God.
John 1:18 NLT
“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”
At this very moment, you and I can look to Jesus by faith and know that we are in the presence of God Almighty.
Right now, look to Jesus and think about what He has been telling you through His Word. Pause for a moment and sense the beauty of His presence.
As we go about our day and evening routines, we can reflect and rest in this truth: the Jesus we follow is the unique One who is Himself God. He is near to the Father’s heart, and He is loving enough to reveal God to us.
I’m sure we will find a moment or two today to pause and quietly thank Jesus for the blessing of saving us from our sins and giving us eternal life with Him and the Father in Paradise.
What a blessing it is to know Jesus!
John 1:18 NLT
“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”
At this very moment, you and I can look to Jesus by faith and know that we are in the presence of God Almighty.
Right now, look to Jesus and think about what He has been telling you through His Word. Pause for a moment and sense the beauty of His presence.
As we go about our day and evening routines, we can reflect and rest in this truth: the Jesus we follow is the unique One who is Himself God. He is near to the Father’s heart, and He is loving enough to reveal God to us.
I’m sure we will find a moment or two today to pause and quietly thank Jesus for the blessing of saving us from our sins and giving us eternal life with Him and the Father in Paradise.
What a blessing it is to know Jesus!
His Keeping Thoughts
His Keeping Thoughts
Let's listen to God's Word in the Scriptures:
"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
— Psalm 139:17 (NKJV)
Have we ever paused to consider what occupies the mind of the Creator of the universe? The Psalmist reveals a breathtaking truth: we are constantly on God's mind, and His thoughts toward us are precious, beautiful, and infinitely vast.
Sometimes, when we walk through unexpected trials or confusing transitions, we struggle to make sense of our circumstances. Our situations can feel chaotic, and we might look at our lives and think, "Lord, this is not the way I planned it." But that is exactly when we must rest in the truth of Isaiah fifty-five, where the Lord reminds us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways His ways. His perspective is eternal. His plans are infinitely higher, grander, and safer than anything we could ever design on our own.
And His thoughts toward us are always good. As Jeremiah twenty-nine eleven reassures us, they are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope.
This is the very foundation of Jesus' keeping power.
Our security in this life does not depend on our ability to hold onto God. It depends entirely on His sovereign power to keep us! Because we are always on His mind, Jesus is actively keeping our hearts, guarding our minds, and sustaining our souls through every single storm. He is our Keeper, and His grip on our lives is completely unbreakable.
Let's stop trying to figure out tomorrow and rest securely in His thoughts today. God has a master plan for our lives. Let's encourage each other to trust Him with His master plan for each of us.
Let's listen to God's Word in the Scriptures:
"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
— Psalm 139:17 (NKJV)
Have we ever paused to consider what occupies the mind of the Creator of the universe? The Psalmist reveals a breathtaking truth: we are constantly on God's mind, and His thoughts toward us are precious, beautiful, and infinitely vast.
Sometimes, when we walk through unexpected trials or confusing transitions, we struggle to make sense of our circumstances. Our situations can feel chaotic, and we might look at our lives and think, "Lord, this is not the way I planned it." But that is exactly when we must rest in the truth of Isaiah fifty-five, where the Lord reminds us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways His ways. His perspective is eternal. His plans are infinitely higher, grander, and safer than anything we could ever design on our own.
And His thoughts toward us are always good. As Jeremiah twenty-nine eleven reassures us, they are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope.
This is the very foundation of Jesus' keeping power.
Our security in this life does not depend on our ability to hold onto God. It depends entirely on His sovereign power to keep us! Because we are always on His mind, Jesus is actively keeping our hearts, guarding our minds, and sustaining our souls through every single storm. He is our Keeper, and His grip on our lives is completely unbreakable.
Let's stop trying to figure out tomorrow and rest securely in His thoughts today. God has a master plan for our lives. Let's encourage each other to trust Him with His master plan for each of us.
You Are the Light
You Are the Light
Matthew 5:14 (BSB):
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
Perhaps you feel small, unnoticed, or overwhelmed by the darkness around you. Jesus’ words are for you: “You are the light of the world.” He does not say this because you are naturally strong, impressive, or morally sufficient. Apart from Him, we are darkness in sin. But Christ, the true Light, has graciously called His people out of darkness and made them His own (John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:9).
Your light is not a performance. It is the visible fruit of belonging to Jesus. It shines when you tell the truth though it costs you, when you turn from sin instead of excusing it, when you forgive someone who has wounded you, when you show kindness without needing recognition, and when you speak of Christ with humble courage.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, genuine faith eventually becomes visible. The people around you may not read the Bible, but they see how you respond under pressure, how you treat people in your home, and whether your hope remains anchored in Christ.
Do not be discouraged when your light seems weak. A small lamp still breaks real darkness. Stay near to Christ through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with His church. Repent quickly when you sin, rest in His forgiveness, and walk again in obedience.
You are not called to save the world; Jesus Christ alone saves. You are called to faithfully reflect Him where He has placed you today. Let your life point beyond yourself—to the Savior who is the Light of the world.
Matthew 5:14 (BSB):
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
Perhaps you feel small, unnoticed, or overwhelmed by the darkness around you. Jesus’ words are for you: “You are the light of the world.” He does not say this because you are naturally strong, impressive, or morally sufficient. Apart from Him, we are darkness in sin. But Christ, the true Light, has graciously called His people out of darkness and made them His own (John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:9).
Your light is not a performance. It is the visible fruit of belonging to Jesus. It shines when you tell the truth though it costs you, when you turn from sin instead of excusing it, when you forgive someone who has wounded you, when you show kindness without needing recognition, and when you speak of Christ with humble courage.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, genuine faith eventually becomes visible. The people around you may not read the Bible, but they see how you respond under pressure, how you treat people in your home, and whether your hope remains anchored in Christ.
Do not be discouraged when your light seems weak. A small lamp still breaks real darkness. Stay near to Christ through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with His church. Repent quickly when you sin, rest in His forgiveness, and walk again in obedience.
You are not called to save the world; Jesus Christ alone saves. You are called to faithfully reflect Him where He has placed you today. Let your life point beyond yourself—to the Savior who is the Light of the world.
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