A Word
of Hope for Your Darkest Days
Bayless Conley
One of the greatest memories from my youth is going backpacking with my dad. We had some fantastic hikes. Though some were pretty grueling! It seemed sometimes that we were going up endless switchbacks on granite mountains. I often thought the trail would never end!
.
One of the things I always kept in mind… even when the hike was very, very difficult and long… was the pristine lake that we would be camping next to when we reached our destination.
I would think about the hungry trout that would rise to grab my lure
when I stood next to that lake fly-fishing. I would think about the beauty and
the solitude.
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I would think about sitting around the campfire at night. With those thoughts I endeavored to enjoy the journey—even though it was difficult going up the side of a mountain.
On some of those trips, people with us would jump ship, turn around, and go home. They’d say, “You guys are crazy! This is too much! I’m going home.” The switchbacks were too numerous for them. The trail was too hard. And all I could think was, “Oh, what you missed!”
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I want to tell you today, Christian pilgrim, that though your way through life may be dark and the road fraught with dangers, don’t you turn back. There is something better than a pristine lake waiting for you.
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I would think about sitting around the campfire at night. With those thoughts I endeavored to enjoy the journey—even though it was difficult going up the side of a mountain.
On some of those trips, people with us would jump ship, turn around, and go home. They’d say, “You guys are crazy! This is too much! I’m going home.” The switchbacks were too numerous for them. The trail was too hard. And all I could think was, “Oh, what you missed!”
.
I want to tell you today, Christian pilgrim, that though your way through life may be dark and the road fraught with dangers, don’t you turn back. There is something better than a pristine lake waiting for you.
Heaven is waiting for you.
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Reward is waiting for you. God Himself is waiting for you in a measure and way that you could never even
imagine! That’s why it’s so important to endeavor to keep an eternal
perspective when your days are dark.
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We read in 1 Peter 1,
Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not
fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through
faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly
rejoice… (vv. 3-6a).
Christian, not all of your salvation has been
experienced. There is still a major part yet to be revealed.
You’re going to
get a new body like His glorious body. You are going to be able to go to heaven
where you have an inheritance that’s incorruptible, undefiled, and has been
reserved for you.
.
And one day God is going to make a new heaven and a new earth where He’s going to dwell with you and me forever!
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Yes, the greater part of our inheritance is yet to be experienced! That’s why Peter says, “In these things we greatly rejoice,” because of the future that we have. But look at the rest of 1 Peter 1:6 and 7…
.
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And one day God is going to make a new heaven and a new earth where He’s going to dwell with you and me forever!
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Yes, the greater part of our inheritance is yet to be experienced! That’s why Peter says, “In these things we greatly rejoice,” because of the future that we have. But look at the rest of 1 Peter 1:6 and 7…
.
In this you
greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been
grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more
precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to
praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…
Even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances, we can rejoice
because heaven and all the good things that God has waiting for us are still on
the horizon.
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So no matter what you are going through, keep an eternal perspective. Doing so will give you the hope your soul needs on your darkest days.
.
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So no matter what you are going through, keep an eternal perspective. Doing so will give you the hope your soul needs on your darkest days.
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Are you struggling with a big decision or
wondering how your eternal future will play out?
Why not talk to the God of the universe and
let Him work in your behalf?
He says, “I
will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with
my eye upon you" (Psalm
32:8).
Ask God to show you what to do. Pray the
following prayer:
“Heavenly
Father,
I
admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please
forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my
Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and
rose from the dead.
I
want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your
Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I
believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and
no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord
Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I
thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am
born again.
Heavenly
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I surrender
my life to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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A Brush With DEATH In The Mountains
A mountaineer’s true account of
survival
“Through It All”
Hillsong
lyrics
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
.
And I look to You
And I wait on You
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
.
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
.
And I look to You
And I wait on You
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
.
Everlasting Father, I love You
Ever living Savior, I love You
.
Everlasting Father, I love You
Ever living Savior, I love You
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
.
And I look to You
And I wait on You
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
.
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
.
And I look to You
And I wait on You
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
.
Everlasting Father, I love You
Ever living Savior, I love You
.
Everlasting Father, I love You
Ever living Savior, I love You
.
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
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