Olive trees...

Olive trees....

I was reminded of a long ago scene from childhood this week as I walked...stepping outside I was hit with a heavy sweet scent of the blooming Russian olive trees nearby...they are in full bloom with their tiny yellow flowers and the scent is wafting through the heated air, a little overpowering....

Stepping back in time, I was a second or third grader, visiting a neighbor who had just picked fresh olives from a nearby olive grove... my friend and I were so excited to see fresh olives...what a treat...of course,  we excitedly had to try one, thinking we were blessed...ugh...awful...

Olives were a holiday treat only...so expensive....they need time and brining before edible...and this was pre-olive oil times for our household...

Jumping forward in time ....we planted Russian olives twigs for wind breaks and bird habitat at one our homes ...my husband detested them as they are so “dangerous” with inch long thorns...but good bird food and wind deterrents...

Of course, Russian olive trees and olive trees  are two very different varieties, similar in color, blooming, but not in fruiting...

Olive  trees are talked about from Genesis  to Revelations...the oil, the branches, the fruit, the wood, the groves...the comparisons, their part in life...

One commentary mentioned that because of the olive tree’s longevity, they became a symbol of perseverance and blessing of God’s people...as well wealth, success, blessing and fruitfulness because  of their part in Israel’s economy and life ...ESV Archaeology Bible.

Last year, seeing them in context of the Bible was so special ...the groves were everywhere, olive wood was for sale from large items to 1/2 inch carved doves. They didn’t waste anything...olive oils were abundant in supply, or skin products, soaps...we ate oil with every meal..

So while I don’t live in an area that supports olive trees for agriculture, I have the Russian olive that in its way is a shelter, windbreaker, source of food for another community, the habitat that live in and around it...Provision for another part of God’s creation...

Just another reminder that God Provides....sustains, cares...thank YOU...

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Psalm 52:8-9

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:26-27

http://www.pray4zion.org/TheThreeTreeofIsraelOliveFigVineJudge.html

https://www.bibleplaces.com/olive-trees/

https://israelolivebond.com/the-olive-tree/symbolism-of-the-olive-tree/

Further instructions...

Further instructions....

Years and years ago, my mother and I discussed the possibility of both my father and my husband passing away...a morbid thought, I know, but to us was a distinct possibility...

Both were on the road a great deal of time, my father  already had some health problems, etc...it was a just a conversation of “what if’s “...

What would we do...thinking through our strengths, talents, personalities...

She was a painter, who at the time, was designing packets of projects to sell.   She loved the designing part, but not the “how to” instructions which accompanied each design.  I loved the “how to”, but couldn’t paint at all...so we would talk and work through the instructions to see if I, as a non painter, could follow them...combining our talents. 

I never became a painter, and she never liked the writing, but rather taught into her eighties, for which she is well loved and remembered ...the “what if’s” didn’t happen in any form of what we imagined...and I alone am remaining, a totally undreamed-of ending...

I was reminded of that time, those conversations, those instructions we created for her packets... when finishing Colossians ...

There is an ending section in my Bible, titled, “further instructions”...Paul has been encouraging, instructing, all through the letter...”to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae”...a group he may never have met in person, but wanted encourage...

But, he wasn’t quite finished and added...”further instructions “.. before the ending of the letter...a succinct list...finishing and continuing on...much like the painting instructions...my mom wanted her students to finish well, and move forward...remembering the past instructions and adding to them...always learning...putting into practice...just as Paul wanted ...as Christ desires...that we keep transforming more and more into His image...thank YOU...

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:2-6 

Church on the lawn...

Church on the lawn...

Yesterday we had our first gathering in over months...

Oh, we have had Zoom, Facebook, YouTube, FaceTime, emails...all the techy stuff... and probably some small gatherings, but not actual gathering as a congregation for over two months....

Is the virus gone, probably not...but the social distancing is going on, people are being careful, smiles and hellos were being exchanged...fellowship, teaching,  corporate worship...it felt like a spring rain after a drought...and the sun and slight breeze was welcoming...the Word presented by this body’s shepherd...

I sat there with a part of my family,  close to others I knew and soaked it all in...how refreshing...thank YOU...

But, I couldn’t help but picture the same type of gatherings a couple of thousand years ago...Jesus seated or standing on a boat or hillside teaching...the gathering of people, children sitting on the grass or rocky hillside, parents intently listening, taking in the teachings, some there for healing, some to mock, some needing comfort, many to believe...

All listening to the words of wisdom by the Shepherd...fellowship, teaching...

We really haven’t changed through the ages...we delight in these gatherings....thank YOU for the opportunity to openly worship...not taking for granted the times You have gifted us...

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

Matthew 13:1-2 

Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. 

As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. 

Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 

When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.

Mark 1:45,3:7-8 

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).

John 6:10 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

The closet...

The  closet....

This winter I determined to work on my wardrobe...I started adding new pieces as I could and found some replacements to add...

This started when I realized that travel pictures over the last 15 years showed the same wardrobe over and over again...

But, they are comfortable, I argued with myself...I like them, they fit, they are durable, easily washed and dried...and dated...but then, who really cares...

The “trouble” is instead of replacing, I added...so now I have a new fall wardrobe and new spring one...but no travels...no trips due to this pandemic...and I am still wearing sweats and  tee shirts...the new clothes still hang expectantly, waiting ....and the closet is full...

In the grand scheme of life, this is very trite...but, being clothed in various garments was brought up over 225 times from Genesis to Revelations...from Adam and Eve to the end...clothed in white, righteousness...and not the sackcloth of mourning...

The priests of old had Priestly garments made especially for them...each item, a specific meaning, set apart...

There were garments of sackcloth for mourning, distress..

Best garments...rich garments, old garments, and new...

References to strength, splendor , majesty...being clothed  in various attitudes... good and bad...

Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

Psalm 45:3

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. 

The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. 

The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 65:11-13 

Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

Psalm 73:6 

May my accusers be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

Psalm 109:29 

for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Proverbs 23:21 

The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

Zechariah 3:4

My favorites...

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30:11-12 

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. 

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-26,28-33

And so many more...the clothes in my closet will see their end in a thrift store, another closest, in rags or whatever ...of no real value ...

But being clothed in the joy of the Lord, in His salvation...that has eternal meaning...the very most important....thank YOU....

Gardens along the way...7...cultivating...

Gardens along the way...7...cultivate...

“Cultivate 

cul·ti·vate  (kŭl′tə-vāt′)

tr.v. cul·ti·vat·ed, cul·ti·vat·ing, cul·ti·vates

1.

a. To improve and prepare (land), as by plowing or fertilizing, for raising crops; till.

b. To loosen or dig soil around (growing plants).

2. To grow or tend (a plant or crop).

3. To promote the growth of (a biological culture).

4. To encourage or foster: cultivate a respect for the law. See Synonyms at nurture.

5. To acquire, develop, or refine, as by education: cultivating a posh accent.

6. To seek the acquaintance or goodwill of; make friends with: cultivated the club's new members.” Free Dictionary 

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:3,11-12 

As I continue to walk each day, I see the gardens tended by their owners, weeds pulled, ground aerated, plants pruned, watered, flowers-deadheaded, vines-trained, thinned, and even some crops harvested...cultivated...tenderly tended to promote growth, beauty...

Reading through the epistles, I see the same...the writers tending the flocks of long ago doing much the same...the words of cultivation resonating down through the ages...that Christian brothers and sisters grow more and  more in their faith...that Christ may be glorified...

Even through this pandemic time....which none of us have ever seen before...there has been growth, the cultivation of growth all over the world...various social media has helped people encourage, care for one another...we don’t have to wait months for a letter to reach by boat or over land like the people of the New Testament times...

Pastors  and teachers teaching their flocks via YouTube, Facebook, Zoom, FaceTime, email, Marco Polo, WhatsApp, or other conferencing apps...simple telephone calls...encouraging cards and letter through “snail mail”...cultivating growth...

Groups of all kinds cultivating, encouraging one another...standing ovations for healthcare, truckers, servers, supply people, background workers...we salute them...

Yesterday,  the roar of four jets passed over my home, having passed over a nearby hospital on to others in the valley as a solute for their tirelessly caring for the ill...cultivating gratitude...

Leaders challenging groups to new heights in living...raising money for various causes..whether health, food for the poor, shoes for the shoeless, data to communicate, etc...cultivating care for others...

We are admonished to give thanks in all circumstances...so I thank YOU even in this new world order of pandemic...You use all this for our growth, our cultivation to somehow bring glory to Yourself...You are the blessed Controller...thank YOU.... 

Proverbs 11...Young Life...

Proverbs 11...Young Life...

Proverbs 11 is a chapter of contrasts...each verse contrast good and evil..

Two verses , 25 and 30 especially captured my heart this am because of testimonies I heard yesterday...

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

Proverbs 11:25,30

Picture a tiny yard, green with grass, a worn path around the perimeter, or stairway in an apartment...two creative ways people in Latin America walked these last months to earn money to buy food, data for others in need...during their country’s shut down...single moms, challenged individuals, families with no jobs, no government backup plans, no help, no transportation, limited access to grocery stores...

Young life leaders in Latin America took on the challenge to provide meals for 10 days at a time...data to stay connected by walking and taking pledges ...that meant shopping  in their  allotted time slots, making up food bags, delivering...all the while walking...

Plus keeping in touch with the youth they were serving having virtual group meetings...keeping themselves healthy, ....and spending time with family, cooped up at home...proclaiming the gospel through words and provision...

A “Walk for Hope”...walking 3,000 miles wherever they could...encouraging others, sharing with others....

Thank YOU for creative ways, ideas, compassion, care, salvation ...to spread life to the world...

Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name IHG welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Luke 9:48 

42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Matthew 10:42 

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

Proverbs 22:9 

Gardens along the way...6...destroyers

Gardens along the way...6...destroyers....

As I was walking (as usual) yesterday, I came upon the cutest “garden destroyers”...two little girls having fun stripping their mother’s beautiful snowball bush...pulling each flower carefully, leaving bare stems, throwing the tiny individual flowerettes into the air, giggling , making “snow”...the ground around them “littered” with the white blooms...they were having so much fun as the plant was slowly being denuded of its flowers...I asked if they were having fun and they said they were going to pick a bouquet and fill their tiny bucket with “snow” for a surprise...she probably was “surprised” all right.😐

Gardens have other destroyers...frost, drought, bugs of all kinds, diseases, heat, wind, fungi,  hail, hard rains, fires, animals, moisture, lack of care, weeds, poor soil...to name a few...

We, as gardens, have just as many destroyers as well...

We let drought seep into our lives by lack of fellowship, lack of being in the Word, lack of gratitude, lack of worship...

Weeds,  by what we listen to, watch, meditate on, or read...

Lack of cultivation in the Word...

Not fleeing the Temptations which surround us...

Not fleeing Satan’s attempts tear down...

Ignoring the Holy Spirit’s truth...

Lusting...envying, coveting...

And so many more...all destroyers of the gardens of our lives...

God, thank YOU, for gardens along the way, for reminding me of you in lessons simply by looking around...

Help me not let the “destroyer”...rule, gain control...tear down my “garden”...

Genesis 3

And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed. For ye shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

Isaiah 1:28-30

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.

Isaiah 58:11

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:22-26 

Gardens along the way...5...

Gardens along the way....5...

I took a new route on my early morning walk yesterday...seeing new gardens, new flowers and new scenery ...

Maybe it’s the long self quarantining or the better weather, or plain more-at-home time but the gardens seem brighter, more prolific than last year...or maybe I am more attune or just most thankful to be enjoying the outdoors again...

One thing I have noticed is not just the flowers, but more food gardens...one person I know put in 15+ raised beds for  fruits and vegetables.. .little side areas are now sporting small gardens with new growth of vegetables, big garden areas are being cultivated anew ...formerly unused areas sprouting with tiny new growth of numerous veggies...

This is all good for our physical bodies, but also our emotional health...we are planning ahead, thinking of the future, getting some sun and exercise...

Our spiritual side is fed also...time for meditation on the miracle of growth, God’s provision...”sweat of the brow”...and many other things that God is teaching us...time for quiet prayer, praise, gratefulness, worship...and the potential for sharing our extra...praise for “first fruits”...

The gardens also brought to mind my grandparents stories of “victory” gardens. Planted for sustenance, but also color and vibrancy after years of war, loss of lives, these gardens raised people’s spirits to see growth and beauty again...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden

We have a garden of our soul to cultivate as well... will we be good soil to grow good fruits, eternal fruits?   

Reading right now through the epistles in the New Testament, I find the authors cultivating in so many communities, churches, people...a planting of seeds for growth...encouragement, warmth, “Sonshine”, weeding of wrongs, everlasting teaching that reaches down through the ages...God given words...that never die...

Thank YOU for gardens along the way...You bless my soul with so much...

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.

Genesis 9:20

“‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord .

Leviticus 27:30

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Isaiah 61:11 

23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Matthew 13:23

https://theheartygarden.com/gardening-mental-health-benefits/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/14/coronavirus-gardening-hobby-and-self-sustainability-create-interest/2923047001/

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/27/822514756/fearing-shortages-people-are-planting-more-vegetable-gardens

Grace to you and peace...

Grace to you and peace....

I love that Paul pens his letters starting with grace and peace...then he goes on to admonish, encourage, advise, build up the readers from the first people to read the letters down through the ages to now...me...

God’s Word is like that...timeless...gracious...peace giving...unity building...saving...redeeming...forgiving...

I keep seeing signs, ads for this time of world unrest, pandemic...” we will get through this together apart”....

Now we are entering a new phase...really getting back together...in businesses, malls, families, churches, parks...slowly pacing into a new normalcy...new trusts, new sides of relationships...new beginnings...

How will we fare?  Some have turned to anger, others judgment, while others have no care in the world but theirs or their way...

We can instead enter with grace and peace...caring for the needs and feelings of others...encouraging, building up...putting our “rights and freedoms “ aside ...whether wearing masks in public or not...social distancing or not...

Majoring on the majors as we congregate together again...

In churches, the age old “joke” has been that we divide over color of carpets, types  of music...now we may divide over social distancing and masks...none of those should divide...we need to come together in worship, centering  on the life giving gospel...blessing those around us with grace and peace...not causing any to stumble...not standing in judgment of one way to congregate or another...

But, rejoicing in the Word...life in Christ...encourage, build up, bear with, love one another...

Thank YOU that You grant us grace and peace...help us to let that shine through...help us be a reflection of You...othering hope to others...in turn offering grace and peace to those around us....

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. 

For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Psalm 133:1-3

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 

When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 11:23

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:14

Galatians 1:3-5 

Songs...

1. thrive lyrics casting crowns, YouTube...

1. Bind us together...John Keyes

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together

With cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, Lord,

Bind us together in love.

There is only one God, there is only one King,

There is only one Body, that is why we sing:

Though there are many branches, there is only one vine,

We are one in Christ Jesus, that is why we sing:

One with Christ in his death that, as one, we might rise.

So we are but one people, that is why we sing:

There is only one table, Christ alone is our host.

He invites us together, that is why we sing:

1. Another old 1960’s song speaks of unity...

JASON UPTON

They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love Lyrics

We are one in the Spirit

We are one in the Lord

We are one in the Spirit

We are one in the Lord

And we pray that all unity

May one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians

By our love, By our love

Yes, they'll know we are Christians

By our love

We will walk with each other

We will walk hand in hand

We will walk with each other

We will walk hand in hand

And together we'll spread the news

That God is in our land

And they'll know we are Christians

By our love, By our love

Yes, they'll know we are Christians

By our love

Gardens along the way....4...hope...

Gardens along the way....4...Hope...

“hope

1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable ...
2. Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God's gracious promises; a scriptural sense.
3. That which gives hope; he or that which furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good ...

HOPE - Definition from the KJV Dictionary

av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/hope.html”

“

• Definition of hope (Entry 2 of 6) 1 a : desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment 

Hope | Definition of Hope by Merriam-Webster

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope”

I realized as I have been walking, observing nature, seeing 

God’s creation, that I enjoy beauty, color, newness of life, learning...but most of all, I see hope...

As we have been going through this pandemic, hopelessness has seeped in...loss of lives, jobs, “control”, day to dayness, economic questions, emotional distress, lack of trust, freedom of movement...Hope seems way out there, untouchable, unfathomable, insecurity reigns....even with slogans of “we care”, “we will make it”...normalness has changed...and we long for the security of normalness...hope...

Flowers, gardens I saw along the way represented hope...

I was discouraged when my blooming fruit trees all froze as I had the expectation of fruit as I did last year...this year, maybe a half of a ice cream bucket instead of bins full...

But, I had put my hope in tangible fruit, instead, the trees are growing prolifically...putting out more branches, leaves....growth in this season...

Growth...hope ...not in the economy, not in the normalness, not in control...but hope places where it should be placed...in 

God...

He is the one who gives hope in distress, hope in Christ, hope in eternity, hope in forgiveness, hope through adversity...

Men and women down through the ages, in various circumstances, have found that same hope...

And it is still there ...thank YOU again and again...

I looked up the word “hope”....it is found 180 times in the NIV version of the Word...164 times in the ESV version. A few follow...

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24 

Three times in Psalms 42 and 43

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 62:5

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:25-26

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.

Acts 26:6

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20 

Worthy of listening...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFuucAzwg1s

these fruits are about the size of one of my finger nails....small, but great hope....