Hope Wins

Hope Wins Let me encourage you with the encouragement I have received. Together we can learn HOPE WINS!

Phil. 3:17-1917 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.18 For ...
06/11/2026

Phil. 3:17-19

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

Nothing is new under the sun, for sure. Paul’s warning is as valid today as it was when he shared it. I struggle the most with people who purposefully misrepresent Christ for their own gain, whether it be for finances, power, control, or their own glory. All of it sickens me and I have a hard time separating the sinner from the sin. I am a daughter of thunder 😉 I relate to James and John in wanting God to strike them down. Or I want to be like David and say who are these Philistines who blaspheme God?!

With that confession, I am still a work in progress and God reminds me of His character. He is long suffering, merciful, and His kindness is what draws us. I also know that He will not always strive with man at it will be a frightful, terrible, end for those who cling to their lies and refuse to bend their knee to such a Holy God; especially to those who lead others astray.

I am thankful He has forgiven me and I have received His mercy and grace, and I too would be lost if not for His goodness. So, I continue to contend for the faith and ask God to make me more like Jesus. I find comfort it Paul’s earlier testimony here in Phil. 3 when he said he had not yet attained.

Keeping my eye on the prize!

Be blessed!



CCLI Song # 41099Rich Mullins© 1988 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)For use solely with the ...

Phil. 3:15-1615 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God wil...
06/10/2026

Phil. 3:15-16

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

In light of what I have previously posted, Paul is saying that mature Christians realize that they will never reach perfection in this life, but they must keep their eyes focused on the Lord and continue in faith believing there is a heaven to gain. Paul also affirms his belief in God’s ability to grow up His children in due time. And lastly, Paul again encourages the Philippians to walk in unity in the Spirit of God. This unity is not at the expense of truth but by being rooted and grounded in the Word of God.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is my prayer that we all desire to be diligent and intentional in our Christian walk. Have a grateful and blessed day!



Another selection by Chuck Girard from the band and album of the sa...

Phil. 3:12-1412 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that f...
06/08/2026

Phil. 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

If Paul, who wrote approximately 2/3 of the New Testament, says he had not reached the point of needing to press on in his walk with the Lord; then I know I must continually check myself to see I am walking according to the tenants of the faith. It is a daily and continual process. We must not grow weary nor faint. By the power of His Holy Spirit, because of the merciful grace given to us, and since He has promised to complete in us the work He began in us; we can have confidence and rest in Him to carry us through as we commit each day to Him.

Have a blessed day!



Be encouraged by He Who Began a Good Work in You, a beautiful song by Steve Green that reminds us of God’s faithfulness to complete the work He has started i...

Phil. 3:11if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.The following is from David Guzik’s commentar...
06/03/2026

Phil. 3:11

if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The following is from David Guzik’s commentary

“If, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead: Paul was not morbidly focused on suffering and death in the Christian life. He saw that they were a necessary way to the goal of resurrection life right now and the ultimate resurrection from the dead.

i. This was a goal that was worth any means to Paul. The suffering was worth it, considering the greatness of the goal of resurrection from the dead.

ii. I may attain: Paul didn’t doubt that he was saved, but he did long mightily for the completion of his salvation through the resurrection of his body. It was something that he had not yet attained and longed for.”

So we finally are getting around to answering question about whether or not Paul was doubting his salvation. I knew instinctively the answer was no, but I wanted to know why it was no. I thought Guzik gave a great explanation. So, I don’t have much to add to that.

I missed posting yesterday due to having a procedure. I received great care from a staff of kind and professional women who made a very uncomfortable situation bearable. I just want to thank God for people that give of themselves in the healthcare profession. I had a hard day and they made it better. May God bless them for their service.

May God grant you a heart of gratitude today; not only to be blessed, but to be a blessing to others today.



Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupMake Me A Servant · Maranatha! MusicPraise Gold (I Love You Lord)℗ 1999 Maranatha! MusicReleased on: 2010-01-01Pr...

Philippians 3:10-11 says, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, ...
06/01/2026

Philippians 3:10-11 says, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Today, I struggle to succinctly share what's on my mind when I read about sufferings and death in this passage. I think Paul hadn't been 'enlightened' as to how to grow his church; who willingly follows a belief system assuring suffering if they adhere to its teachings? Did Paul misspeak?

Currently, I'm reading 'Unpacking Forgiveness' by Chris Brauns, which discusses John Piper's childhood remembrance of a hymn they sang in church, 'So I Send You.' Here are the words:
So I send you to labor unrewarded,
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown,
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing,
So I send you to toil for you alone.

I have similar impressions of the Christian life as a child. Don’t get me wrong the people who taught my Sunday School classes and VBS were lovely well meaning precious souls. I am forever grateful for the labor of love they poured into my life. I just didn’t see how I could ever live a life for Jesus, although I desperately wanted to be saved. I just couldn’t see me living such a hard, strict and disciplined life. I was a kid and wanted to be happy and have fun.

Bear in mind, Paul did suffer beatings, stoning, and persecution for declaring Christ to an unbelieving, hostile world. Very few of us in the USA risk such treatment for declaring the gospel. I have lost some relationships over the years, and some of those have been restored to God’s glory. I have been ridiculed and disrespected, but never felt physically threatened or in fear of my life for sharing my faith.

So what’s the point?

While Paul knew of what he spoke and was most definitely facing possible death willingly, he did not fear death and counted all loss compared to what he would gain because of Christ. When considering giving your life to Christ, you do need to count the cost. There is a commitment and it is not always easy, but there is peace and joy unspeakable. And there is absolutely nothing that we really do on our own, we have a God who is there in the good times and the difficult times. I tried going it alone and I still had tough times and had nowhere to go and no hope. Now I do have hope and help thanks to Jesus. I have considered the cost and know I have been blessed not cursed.

Living a life for Christ may lead you into times of suffering, but not without a purpose and not without God providing all you need to go through whatever comes your way. No one escapes this life without suffering in some form. You can choose to go it alone or you can choose to go through it with Jesus. There is joy even in difficult times and there is hope.



Song: Graves Into GardensArtist: Elevation Worship

Phil. 3:10-1110 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being confo...
05/29/2026

Phil. 3:10-11

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

In regards to the power of His resurrection:

“I do not think, however, that Paul is here thinking so much of the power displayed in the resurrection, as of the power which comes out of it, which may most properly be called, ‘the power of his resurrection.’ This the apostle desired to apprehend and to know.” (Spurgeon)

The following bulletpoints are from David Guzik

- The power of His resurrection is an evidencing power. It is the evidence and seal that everything Jesus did and said was true.
- The power of His resurrection is a justifying power. It is the receipt and proof that the sacrifice of the cross was accepted as payment in full.
- The power of His resurrection is a life-giving power. It means that those who are connected with Jesus Christ receive the same resurrection life.
- The power of His resurrection is a consoling and comforting power. It promises that our friends and loved ones who are dead in Christ live with Him.

As you can tell, I have really needed help and time to wrap my head and heart around these two verses. I will continue to do so next week. I hope by me sharing what I am learning, it helps you to take time to stop and consider Jesus, what it means to walk with Him, and to know Him as your Lord and Savior.

Be blessed!



Lyric Video for Death Was Arrested from Maranatha! Music.Listen on your favorite streaming platform: https://linktr.ee/maranathamusicTry: “Alexa, play Marana...

Phil 3: 10-1110 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being confo...
05/28/2026

Phil 3: 10-11

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

In these two short verses there is much to unpack. How do we “know Him?”

What does it mean to know “the power of His resurrection?”

Or “the fellowship of His sufferings” how exactly do we know that?

How do I become, “conformed to His death?” Or is this something only certain followers of Christ are called to and not all?

In verse 11, is Paul questioning whether or not he will be resurrected from the dead?

With all these questions, one can easily see why we must use scripture to interpret scripture and take no portion of scripture solely by itself without the context from which it came. I had to read ahead and go back to the beginning of the chapter and review all Paul was saying and remember that Paul was in a Roman prison possibly facing death and had already survived many perilous circumstances in his service to God for the sake of sharing the gospel of Christ.

I really like this following quote regarding how we come to know Jesus. It is so much more than knowing facts about a historical figure, we must know him in a personal way and experience knowing Him:

“They tell me he is a refiner, that he cleanses from spots; he has washed me in his precious blood, and to that extent I know him. They tell me that he clothes the naked; he hath covered me with a garment of righteousness, and to that extent I know him. They tell me that he is a breaker, and that he breaks fetters, he has set my soul at liberty, and therefore I know him. They tell me that he is a king and that he reigns over sin; he hath subdued my enemies beneath his feet, and I know him in that character. They tell me he is a shepherd: I know him for I am his sheep. They say he is a door: I have entered in through him, and I know him as a door. They say he is food: my spirit feeds on him as on the bread of heaven, and, therefore, I know him as such.” (Spurgeon)

I think that is enough to chew on for today, so I will pick up the other questions tomorrow. We may be here for awhile..

Official Lyric Video for "Knowing You" by Steffany GretzingerList...

Phil. 3:8-98 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for wh...
05/27/2026

Phil. 3:8-9

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith

“He disowns his own righteousness as eagerly as other men disown their sins, and he highly esteems the righteousness which Christ has wrought out for us, which becomes ours by faith.” (Spurgeon)

Spurgeon says it so succinctly that I don’t think I can add any better insight. Coming from a holiness background as a child that was sent to Sunday School, I had little understanding of how God truly provides for our salvation, justification, sanctification, and future glorification. I thought my ability to maintain a Christian walk was in my own strength; and even at such a young age, I realized I wouldn’t be able to do so. I felt frustrated and defeated. I was confounded by a God I believed existed and His Son who died for my sins, I believed there was a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, but was hopeless in my desire to live up to all the rules and requirements man had set before me to keep.

What a glorious day, when God revealed to me that He provided it all when I put my faith in Christ! I was given a personal relationship with a God who was able to not only save me, but to keep me. I was no longer fearful of having to count on my righteousness, but only in the righteousness of Christ. His loving kindness and His mercy were the cords that bound me to Him and my commitment was complete not by works, but through a faith that He has wrought in me by His own faithfulness for these last 50 years. He doesn’t and will not fail.



Official Lyric Video for “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” by Cody CarnesWatch the live version of "Firm Foundation (He Won't)": https://codycarnes.lnk.to/firmfou...

Phil. 3:4-74 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh...
05/26/2026

Phil. 3:4-7

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Paul is saying that if anyone would be able to glory in their personal heritage and following of the law, he was most certainly qualified. However, since meeting Jesus and understanding the gospel, Paul states nothing he is or has done compares to Christ. Like Paul, we come to the Lord empty handed. Nothing we possess in ourselves can purchase our salvation. But God…. in His mercy, grace, and great love provides for us the means to be reconciled through the death and resurrection of His Son. Praise His holy name!



https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVIT4GsDw5TkqzJ7yV7pmd0nCeD1y15G5I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold I'd rather be his than have riches untoldI'...

Phil. 3:1-31 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for y...
05/25/2026

Phil. 3:1-3

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Paul is exhorting and warning the church at Philippi. He wants them to rejoice in the Lord only and to not trust in their heritage as Jews or their works; which neither can save them. Paul warns of those who would teach that one must be circumcised to be saved. He called such teachers dogs a term generally saved for Gentiles. He referred to the requiring of circumcision for salvation as mutilation. Paul was making every effort to ensure the church at Philippi would not embrace false teaching.

There are other false teachings today that followers of Christ must guard against. Anytime you hear you must add any action to the following statement, you are hearing false teaching. You must repent of your sins, turn to Jesus to forgive your sins, by faith accept His gift of salvation, and commit yourself to walk in His ways. This act is a work of God’s grace and He alone is to receive the praise and glory.

Salvation is in Christ alone. He is our High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb of God who now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Praise be to God!



Lyric Video for "You Are My All In All from TOP 25 Praise Songs 2005 from Maranatha! Music.Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2rJV3jGiTunes/Apple Music: https://apple...

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