How to Experience the Peace and Hope of an Eternal Perspective

Saying "goodbye" is hard, especially if we don't know if we'll see that person again. An eternal perspective makes it possible to have hope for the future. #Eternity #Hope #Faith #countingMyBlessings

I hate “good-byes.”

They can be horribly painful especially if we believe we may never see that person again.

The Apostle Paul told the people in Ephesus:

Now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.
Acts 20:22

And it was time to say “goodbye”…

They all cried as they embraced and kissed him goodbye. They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again.
Acts 20:37–38a

Thinking about this moving scene from 2,000 years ago makes me smile. Why? Because those believers and Paul have been together for centuries!

A number of years ago while running through the St. Louis airport, Rev “bumped into” a dear friend and godly mentor that he hadn’t seen in more than ten years. Because they were both running late for their flights they only had time for a quick hello and hug before rushing off in opposite directions.

But then, after just a few strides Rev heard this dear friend call out his name. He stopped and turned . . . as did most of the other curious onlookers in the concourse.

With a huge smile on his face, this dear friend looked at him and shouted…

“Isn’t Heaven going to be GREAT? No more good-byes! No more goodbyes!”

This would have been unforgettable under any circumstances but we learned just a few weeks later that this friend and encourager had suddenly been called Home to Heaven.

Good-byes are painful but in Christ . . . our good-byes are not forever. We will be united again with our friend, just as you and I will be reunited with all believers in Christ. Every family member and friend who has placed their faith and future in Jesus. Because of Jesus, we can face good-byes with an eternal perspective.

Saying “goodbye” is still painful and often brings tears. But those tears will all be wiped away forever when the Lord brings us home to Him.

Let’s pray for God’s grace to keep an eternal perspective and a future with no more good-byes!

A Prayer for the Peace and Hope of an Eternal Perspective

Father, saying “goodbye” is so hard. It breaks our hearts when we are parted from loved ones knowing we will not see them again this side of heaven. You didn’t intend for good-byes to be part of our journey. You created a perfect heaven and earth, and we have stained it with sin. Jesus cried over our brokenness and paid the price for our sins that we might be forgiven and given peace and hope that lasts forever.

How can I begin to thank you for all You have done for me . . . all you do for me every day. You give me peace and hope. You make it possible for me to have an eternal perspective. Possible for me to look forward to the day when I will see you face to face and live the blessing of “no more good-byes.” I can face each day with an eternal perspective . . . one that enables me to endure the painful parts of life confident that You will never leave me and that I can do all things through the strength that You give. Your love is eternal. Your grace and mercy last forever. Your promises endure eternally. And Your Kingdom has no end.

My hope is in You. My peace comes from You. My faith rests on the firm foundation of Your TRUTH . . . on Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life. In His name, I pray. Amen.

If your heart is hurting today . . . Jesus understands. He came from heaven. He not only had an eternal perspective . . . He came from heaven and knew He would return to heaven. Eternity was within Him! And yet, He cried with those who grieved.

He made it possible for us to live with peace knowing that through Him we have the hope of a future that lasts forever. A hope that makes it possible for us to confront every moment of this life with an eternal perspective.

On today’s note write:

Thanks be to God who gives me an eternal perspective.

May God bless you today and fill you with His peace and hope now and forever.

Click here to read the rest of Acts 20.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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When You Need to See Things in a Different Way

1 / 30 / 201 / 30 / 20

When I question my perspective and need to see things in a different way - I turn to the Bible and prayer asking God to show me His way to look at my life. #WWGGG #Prayer #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #NewPerspective

I’m not a thrill-seeker.

Nope! I’m not looking for life’s next roller-coaster ride or white water rapids experience.

Now some of you may be thinking … I totally get it. I completely agree.

But others are shaking their heads thinking … that’s so boring. I can’t wait for my next adrenaline rush.

And I love it! I love the way God wires us all differently.

Although, I have to admit that in the middle of an opinionated conversation, I often struggle with the way God makes us all differently.

It’s interesting when we’re talking about personal tastes, abilities, and preferences. It’s quite another when we’re trying to understand how someone can come to a point of view that is completely contrary to our own.

The thing is, we don’t come to our views of the world simply through God’s creative wiring. We also spend years developing a perspective lens and that lens influences how we look at everything.

Every person ever created is a mixture of God’s making and their experiences, relationships, environment, and education. A perspective developed over many years.

But there’s a problem with exclusively depending on those things as the basis for our ideas and opinions. We live in a sinful world and our experiences, relationships, environment, and education are always less than perfect.

So, no one grows up in circumstances that can lead them to have a perfect perspective.

I’ll admit it’s hard to accept the possibility that my perspective might be wrong. And it’s even harder for me to deal with people who are adamant that their perspective is always right.

But I’ve decided it’s time to quit thinking about people’s opinions and perspectives. It’s time to look at things in a different way.

Because if I really care about the truth and not just about being right … then I need to know God’s perspective.

So, I’m going to God’s Word and prayer. I’m asking God to help me see things in a different way … in His way.

I’m asking God to give me His perspective.

If you’re willing to pause and pray. If you’re ready to admit you’re perspective may not be perfect and see things a different way. If you’re ready to ask God to show you His perspective … will you pray with me?

When You Need to See Things in a Different Way

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
2 Corinthians 10:3–4

Father, help me remember that the enemy is always at work around me. He is the Father of Lies (John 8:44) who is at work trying to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) what we have in and through Jesus. He is at work trying to break our relationships and distort our perspectives.

As I study Your Word, help me see things in a different way. Fill my heart and mind with Your perspective and help me fight his lies with Your truth.

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.
1 Corinthians 3:18–19

Father, the world keeps shouting that its way is better. There is really nothing new. Solomon wrote, “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

As I read your Word, it reveals the foolishness of the world. From Genesis through Revelation, You teach us about the foolishness of following the world’s ways.

Please help me. I want to see things in a different way. I want to follow Jesus. I want to trust and obey You. Please give me peace with being considered foolish to those shouting the world’s “wisdom” and stand on the firm foundation of Your unfailing love.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Father, give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word. I want to set my heart on Your truth. Please transform me into the person You want me to be. Teach me that I might know Your will. Help me become someone who willingly and faithfully lives to fulfill Your plans and purposes.

I surrender this day to You. Please give me the strength to stand firm when I’m tempted to go along with the crowd. Help me to see things in a different way … Your way! That I might live for Your glory and shine the light of Your love.

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Colossians 3:2–3,10

Father, I need Your help. It is said, that You whisper while the world is loud.

It’s true. The noise never stops and much of it is not in line with Your will for me. Father, please help me listen for Your voice. Please give me an eternal perspective … one that looks beyond my circumstances to You and all You have done for me. Help me put Your Kingdom’s priorities into daily practice.

Help me remember that by Your grace my life is safe in Jesus … my salvation is secure. And help me live each day overwhelmed with gratitude for all You have done and continue to do to make me Your own.

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18

Oh Father, Please help me see things in a different way. Help me remember You have angel warriors with me helping me fight my battles. (Luke 4:10) Please prepare for each spiritual battle by equipping me with Your promised armor.

Guard me with Your truth. Grow my faith. Give me Your peace. Fill my heart with Your love and my mind with Your Word.

Help me remember that this life is temporary but that all I have in You lasts forever. Your love gives me a new perspective. Jesus has given me a new way to live. A way that will bless me today, tomorrow, and forever. By Your grace and for Your glory in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Friend, it’s not easy to see things in a different way.

The world shouts at us and tells us that believing and trusting the words of the Bible is narrow-minded and biased. It wants us to doubt and question looking at life through anything other than our gut-feelings and personal preferences is foolish.

St. Augustine said…

“Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”

So, no matter what “everyone” says or does … I’m asking God to help me see things in a different way.

And I’m praying for you, as well…

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Ephsians 1:16b–17

May God bless you with His truth, peace, hope, and wisdom. And may He fill You with His unfailing love that lasts forever.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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5 Verses to Pray When You Need a New Perspective

7 / 18 / 197 / 29 / 20

When my attitude stinks and I need a new perspective, I need help. God's help. So, I'm praying and asking Him to empower me and fill me with His transforming truth. #Prayer #Perspective #Faith #Hope

I can remember sitting with a friend over lunch.

Her daughter had recently returned home from college for summer break. My friend was thrilled to have her daughter home but also a bit concerned.

You see…

Her daughter had arrived upset with everyone! Her profs and teachers were uninformed and unhelpful. Her friends were unkind and unappreciative. And her roommate was the WORST! She wasn’t even sure she could take living with her the following semester.

My wise friend listened patiently to her child go on and on for a few days until she finally said, “You know how much I love you and I’m very sorry you’re going through this but I can’t help but think there is one common denominator in every one of these relationships.”

I will never forget her words because although I laughed with her at the “me” focus our children can have at times, I couldn’t help but wonder how often I’ve been the “common denominator” in one of my own bad days, or weeks, or longer.

How many times have I taken my bad mood, my insecurities, my quick to judge attitudes, my “I know I’m right” opinions (okay, well you get the idea) into a conversation where I should have listened with kindness, compassion, and love.

It’s hard though, isn’t it? Sometimes I want to be self-absorbed and “me” focused. Sometimes I want other people to take care of me … or just do it my way for a change.

I can almost see you nodding your head.

But there’s a problem … that attitude never makes me happy. If you’d like to know why, check out How to Have a Perspective that will Make You Happy.

As I looked back over those words from the other day, I realized that many of the tips began with “Ask God…”

So today, that’s exactly what I’m going to do! I’m asking God to give me a new perspective … one that will glorify Him, bless my relationships, and as an added bonus, maybe even make me happy.

5 Verses to Pray When You Need a New Perspective

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
Psalm 103:2–5

Oh, Father, when I’m tempted to be “me” focused and self absorbed, please help me turn to You. Help me remember all the things You have done for me in the past, and quite honestly all You are doing for me today … I woke up, I can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. I have a roof over my head and food to eat. And most important, I have You! I have faith and the peace-filled assurance that I can trust Your promises. Help me focus on Your goodness and mercy today and all the days of my life. Give me a new perspective.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Father, forgive me. There are so many voices all claiming to speak the truth. Telling me Your Word is outdated and misinterpreted. I have to admit, the people shouting the loudest seem so very unhappy and distressed.

Father, I ask You to give me wisdom and strength. And by the power of Your Spirit as I study Your Word and turn to You in prayer … guide me by Your truth. Transform my thinking that I might know Your will for me … Your good, pleasing, and perfect will which I believe is the only true way for me to have a new perspective and enjoy peace, hope, and joy each day.

You must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
2 Peter 3:8

It’s so easy to grow impatient, Father. Honestly, I would like my prayers to have been answered yesterday. I want health restored and relationships repaired. I want peace and kindness to prevail. I want people to listen and understanding to win the day. I want to see lives surrendered to Your love.

I pray and I pray and wait and wait and time goes on. Please give me an eternal perspective. Help me remember that it’s all under Your control. You are at work in my life and the lives of the people I love answering prayers in Your perfect way at Your perfect time. Please give me everything to focus on You and trust Your love as I wait.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

And Father, on those days when I’m tempted to lose the perspective and attitudes You want for me … give me the strength I need for this moment and help me go confidently into each one knowing You will give me all I need to live for You.

For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No” … and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says.For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
2 Corinthians 1:19–20

Father, thank you for Jesus. It doesn’t matter what the world says … Jesus is the answer. It doesn’t matter how I feel, whether or not I’m having a good day, or even if others agree … Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life.

Every promise You have ever made is fulfilled in Jesus. Please help me surrender this day, my mood, my attitudes, and my perspective to You … so that in all I do and say I might follow Your will and live for Your glory. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

What am amazing blessing it is to know that even though you and I are completely incapable of getting this new perspective on our own … God not only wants to give it to us, He has given us His Spirit to live with and within us to transform and empower us.

The presence of the Spirit is able to help us look at life a whole new joy-inducing way!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

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7 Verses that will Give You Perspective When You Need It

7 / 9 / 187 / 9 / 18

Welcome to Week #6 of The Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series.

If you’ve missed any of the earlier posts here, check out:

6 of the Best Ways to Fight Distraction and Listen to God
by Dawn Klinge

Amazing Worship Songs that will Make Your Day Better
by Carmen Brown

How to be Blessed with the Powerful Wisdom of God
by Valerie Murray

5 Verses that will Help When You Worry About Your Kids
by Ruthie Gray

How to Thrive When You Need a Spiritual Pep Talk
by Nicki Schroeder

AND…

To find more posts from my awesome friends, visit The Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series Board on Pinterest!

Now, for today’s post…

I am so excited to share a post from one of my favorite bloggers and my dear friend, Melanie Redd.

Melanie’s tagline on her site is…

Inspiring Your Success in Ministry & in Life

And she will! She does!

One of my favorite things about Melanie is that she will not only give you tips and advice that will make success possible … she will bless you with her encouragement and prayers.

I know you will be blessed by the wisdom she shares. So, as always, please make Melanie feel welcome here by stopping to say “hello” in the comments. And please head over to visit her at MelanieRedd.com to enjoy even more of her practical application of Scripture shared with “a little wit and a whole lotta common sense.”

7 Verses that will Give You Perspective When You Need It

Perspective.

It’s the way we look at things… our frame of reference.

Perspective is the broad grid through which we look at life.

Perspective is much like a camera with a panoramic viewer.

As you look through the lens, you see a wide landscape – from the far left angle to the far right angle.

Our perspectives influence everything – our attitudes, our mindset, our viewpoint, our outlook, and our beliefs.

Today’s scriptures encourage us to look at life from heaven’s perspective – from God’s point of view.

“Wisdom is looking at life from God’s point of view.”
Adrian Rogers.

So, as you read each verse and consider the message… why not invite the Lord to give you His perspective on life?

Here are 7 Bible Verses That Will Give You Perspective:

Verse One – Psalm 9:7-8

The Lord reigns forever;
He has established His throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.

No matter who is in leadership in our governments, in our cities, in our schools, or in our churches; God ALWAYS reigns from heaven. He rules in righteousness and judges with equity.

When David wrote this Psalm, he was dealing with the Philistines. David’s battles took place thousands of years ago. He knew that God reigned supremely and had everything under control.

Perspective: God reigns supreme over our world today. He knows exactly what is going on!

Verse Two – Psalm 73:26

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
He is mine forever.

Psalm 73 is one of my favorites!

And, these verses are a wonderful reminder that God is always our strength. No matter what we lose, how we feel, or what is going on in our lives, God is with us. He is the strength of our hearts.

He is mine, and He is yours!

Perspective: Our God is very personally interested in us and able to support us through every season of our lives.

Verse Three – Psalm 100:5

For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and His faithfulness continues to each generation.

Like me, you likely memorized at least part of Psalm 100 at some point along the way.

It is one of the most beloved and quoted Psalms.

Perspective: The Lord is good, His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. What sweet promises!

Verse Four – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

I love the perspective in these verses!

Our troubles won’t last very long. Yet, they produce for us incredible, long-lasting glory.

Perspective: We don’t have to fix our eyes on our current troubles. Instead, we can focus on all that is coming – all that God has ahead for us.

Verse Five – 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Then we will be with the Lord forever.

When Christ returns, it’s going to be an amazing day.

And, we will be with the Lord forever!

Perspective: Nothing will be able to separate us from Him. We will always be in His presence. Forever, He is and will be ours!

Verse Six – Hebrews 9:12

With His own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

The Lord Jesus entered the Holy place and secured our redemption forever.

This means that nothing can take our redemption from us. We cannot lose our salvation once we have placed our trust in Jesus.

Perspective: We are secure in Him because of what Jesus has done for us, and we are forever redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!

Verse Seven – Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We can take this promise to heart!

Jesus NEVER changes.

Perspective: No matter how crazy things get around us, we can rest in the fact that Jesus Christ is completely faithful and dependable.

So, what do you think?

What verses give you perspective on life and on your life?

Melanie is a Christian blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Marketing and Social Media Consultant. She’s married to Randy and mom to two awesome college students. God’s grace never ceases to amaze her.

You can find out more about Melanie & her ministry at www.melanieredd.com.

You can connect with Melanie here:

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Ministry Synopsis:

The Ministry of Hope is all about helping others to succeed in ministry and in life. All of our messages, written materials, blog posts, and resources are designed to offer hope and encouragement.

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