Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
Double hope for today…
April 21st, 2009
Since Jesus has shed His most precious blood, it is now glorious on the part of God to dart a ray of hope of pardoned sin into the darkest heart that ever wept and confessed at His feet.
Approach, sin-distressed, guilt-burdened one! There is hope of forgiveness for you in God. He delights in mercy. And since He can forgive all your transgressions for Christ’s sake, and be glorious in the eyes of angels and of saints in so doing, do you think that He will spurn you from His throne of grace if you simply acknowledge your transgressions and rest the hand of faith on the head of Christ, the sin-atoning Lamb of God?
My reader, are your circumstances trying? Are your resources depleted? Are clouds gathering? Do you find yourself tempted to succumb to despondency and despair? There is hope for you in God! All other sources and gleams of hope have expired, but God is the God of hope, and in His power and love, in His Word and faithfulness, you may hope, even against hope. Take heart, then and look up. Never yield to despair while there is hope in God. If things look discouraging and prospects are gloomy, there is one Being to whose providence you may always turn with the full assurance of hope; in His divine love and infinite resources, you will find compassion, support, and help.
Octavius Winslow
24 Comments »
Now to [God] who is able to do exceeding abundantly (super-super abundantly) beyond all that we ask or think, according to the [Holy Spirit’s] power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Comment by Marilyn — April 21, 2009 @ 8:45 am
Steve,
We are believing that the God of all HOPE will show up for a youth gathering we have planned for the greater Plainfield/Joliet/Naperville area.
It will be at Plainfield South High School Friday evening…and is called Showtime sponsored by our Youth Alive Club; food, games,music and teaching from area youth group leaders and testimonies from teens.
Key verse: Matthew 5:16 is the theme.
The Book of Hope will be given out to those who are interested!!!
More than ever are young people need to have hope and believe that God has a future and plan!
I know that Franklin Graham is planning some awesome youth rallies this summer with Rock the River…we thought we would get started, too.
Thanks for your devotional..would appreciate your prayers. The teens would like to see 300 show up!
Blessings,
Natalie
Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — April 21, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Good for you, Natalie. We’ll be cheering you on!
Steve
Comment by steve — April 21, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
Praise God and thank God, I’m really blessed by your songs. I keep on praying for you that He will provide all your needs, bro. Steve. Keep on serving the Living God through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, God will use you as a channel of blessings, more souls to be saved in Christ Jesus. I never stop praising God, because He is alive, Jesus is alive forevermore.
Comment by caleb mahinay mondragon — April 22, 2009 @ 3:00 am
Thanks, Steve.
God is so good..had sent that e-mail off to you and found at home in my mail the letter from Franklin Graham on the rallies.
He truly orders our steps.
Bless your ministry this weekend in Houston, Texas!
Natalie
Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — April 22, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
Steve,
I am privileged to be a part of your back-up singers this evening @ Winona Lake, IN. I am very much looking forward to this time of worship and am praying for our Lord to be glorified in our time together. It is definitely a highlight for me!
Psalm 16:11
Comment by Susan Slabaugh — April 28, 2009 @ 8:16 am
Thanks, Susan. You guys were a great help and it was a treat to be at Grace College.
Steve
Comment by steve — April 28, 2009 @ 8:18 am
Steve,
Thank you for the wonderful article. The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I realize it is His mercy that allows me to come into His presence and favor. On my way to doing routine Saturday errands earlier I was listening to your “Faithful” album , and I just love the song “My Soul Found Rest” where you sing the line ‘It was the mercy of our God where all my hopes began’, and later ‘it was not my righteousness… but I was saved by Sovereign grace.’ How true!
I wrote in my prayer journal this morning “thank you Lord for the gift of trusting you these many years.” What a gift-my trust in Him is not even of my own doing-every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and all I can do is offer it back to Him in praise!
May I say that I have listened to your music and watched you from afar and been to several of your worship events, and I am drawn by your humility. While some “Christian” artists have sought the spotlight, you are an inspiration to many believers, because you have sung for God and God alone and that is a legacy to Him and a sweet fragrance!
May His blessings abound to you my brother.
I do hope you come out this way sometime.
Blessings and joy always! Galatians 2:20
John Jacob Gig Harbor, Washington
Comment by John Jacob — April 30, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Thanks for the good gospel reminder. Well said. I must say that from afar we all can look good! My hope is that the One who knows me best loves me most. As I’ve said many times, there is only one hero in my story. I have a great Savior.
Steve
Comment by steve — April 30, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
o seu ministerio e muito abençoado e suas musicas sao muito boas
Comment by weslei — April 30, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
Thank you, Welsei.
Steve
Comment by steve — April 30, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
We saw you at Monclova Baptist Church in Ohio this past weekend-I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your concert. Thanks for talking guitars with my oldest son-he is still talking about your guitar! It was great for my boys to see where they can go with their music and of course God’s direction.
My husband was really glad he was able to sing in the choir with you too! (his name is Alex with the Anchormen) Thanks for being such a blessing to me and my family!
Comment by Lisa Good — April 30, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
We were blessed to visit you folks. The hospitality was gracious. Thanks to all who served us so kindly.
Steve
Comment by steve — April 30, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
Hi Steve,
I was at your concert last night at NSBC in N.Syracuse, NY. Thank you so much your songs touch my heart like no other. I bought my grandchildren your childrens cd Hide em in your Heart and the Prayer bear DVD I loved them and I know my grandkids will also, thank you again for an awsome concert. IN His Service Robin Ross P.S. do you ever do children concerts?
Comment by Robin Ross — May 2, 2009 @ 9:58 am
Thank you. I was glad to be back in Syracuse and greatly encouraged by the response. I used to have a children’s segment in the concert, but have not for a while. Yes, I have done a few children’s programs, but not a whole concert of kid’s music.
Steve
Comment by steve — May 2, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
Dear Mr. Green, Thank you for doing the concert here at North Syracuse Baptist Church! I had a great time! Thank you for giving me the DVD and CD, I have already been listening to it. Thank you for the chocolates too! It was nice to meet you!
Rafe
Comment by Rafe Cardinale — May 3, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
Dear Rafe,
I’m so glad I got to meet you too. You are welcome for the DVD and the chocolates. For a seven year old you are very grown up. Thanks for coming to see me in concert.
Steve Green
Comment by steve — May 4, 2009 @ 7:38 am
Dear Steve;
Just reporting that our Youth gathering Showtime was a success at PSHS! We had about 120 students come! PTL!
Meanwhile, on this subject of HOPE…dropped by Willow Creek Church this past weekend for their finale missions emphasis, CELEBRATION of HOPE!
It is amazing to see what the body of Christ can do when we pull our resources together! I think it was shared that 30 individuals picked up the cost of purifying water systems for various cities in Africa alone!!!
Double hope..meeting physical and spiritual needs!!!
I hope your are coming soon to the Chicago area…would love to see you guys in concert again!
Last time was in Nashville for AACC conference! I am praying now for this year’s conference to be totally saturated with God’s annointing of GRACE and TRUTH. (theme for counselors gathering)
Blessings,
Natalie
Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — May 4, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Great report! Thanks, Natalie. We’ll be at Winetka Bible Church on September 6th. Just north of Chicago.
Steve
Comment by steve — May 4, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
Thanks for the great thoughts, Steve!
Comment by Jordan — May 9, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, not just in song , but also in your devotional thoughts. You have been an encouragement to me through the years. Every song is such a blessing. May God give you continued years of service for Him as we look forward to seeing the King of Kings and stand before His majesty. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever, Amen!
Comment by Doug Widger — August 2, 2009 @ 2:05 am
Hi Steve I am planning to visit my aunt in St. Louis and we are going to IL. to see you in person. I have attended many of your concerts in Omaha and Lincoln, NE. This will be her 1st time. I am looking forward to seeing you there. In this troubled world one of my favorite Bible verses comes to mind. “God is our refuge and strength, therefore we will not fear.”
SARAH
Comment by Sarah Ross — August 12, 2009 @ 12:56 am
Thanks, Sarah. We’ll see you there.
Comment by steve — August 12, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
My steadfast Catholic mom who was always careful not to insult Vatican II in even her death, went home to the Lord today.
I have this assurance when as the priest anointed her, she broke with the recitations and confessed with her mouth the Lord Jesus; thanking Him for dying for her sins.
Well no wonder mom showed by her life that she believed in her heart that God had raised Him from the dead.
Dignified and elegant, she took every opportunity presented to turn the other cheek and to forgive, never saying one nasty word about another. Wow.
And her heritage? At least 2 of 4 children born again, with 5 born again grandkids, and 5 grt grand kids being raised by practicing Christian parents.
So a amid a room filled with Catholic prayer cards, crucifixes, etc, my mother entered eternity and is now Safely Home.
To Him be All Glory, now and forever. Amen
Comment by Mary — September 20, 2009 @ 3:22 pm