After my recent mission trip, I was asking some of my fellow team members to give me a word or words that would make them recall this trip. What stood out and what will they take back with them. One person said, “Planters of hope.”

That was us. On this mission trip. We planted seeds of hope. We scattered hope to those who were wondering. We announced the good news of Jesus Christ. The rest is up to God.

But we don’t have to leave this image in the mission field. We can all be planters of hope right in our own community. We can encourage our neighbor to visit our church, or join us in a bible.

Be a planter of hope. You just might be blessed yourself.

Luke 14:23 - “And the master said to the servant, "Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Do you realize that your faith is strengthened, not in the easy times of life, but in the most trying times? God brings us through these darkened times not to harm us, but to bring a greater strength, character, trust and perseverance to the deepest part of our souls.

I've been through dark valleys several times and can verify that I've always come out on the other side changed, stronger, renewed and with a greater purpose.

My prayers go out to those of you who are mourning today, those who are depressed and feel like you'll never get out of the difficulty.

Remember this. God is in control. Let God comfort you today. Rest in his arms and lay your burdens at His feet, believing that is the safest place for it to be.

Make Satan uncomfortable when he tries to come in and wreck your world today.

You'll be safe in God's arms.

Job 5:11 – "He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety."

Life is hard.  As a Christian, I face battles every day.  Some days are worse than others but it's a war all the same.  I believe that many Christians get defeated in spirit in their Christian lives for one reason.  They are not fully engaged in the war.  What does this mean?  It means if you're going to be in the battle, get prepared for the war zone.  How do we do this?  Put on the full armor of God.  What does that mean?  It means reading the Bible.  This is your plan laid out for you and your spiritual shield to fight the enemies of life.

Jesus didn't promise that He would solve all our problems, but He does promise to fight our battles if we belong to Him.

When we gave our life to Christ, we were drafted into God's army.

Stand strong in your belief today.  Tell others and show others the God you serve is greater than any other.  Love your enemies.

James 4:7 – "Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

I just visited a third-world country and saw plenty of poverty but one thing they lacked was hatred, violence and great sorrow. It’s funny how you get used to having most of what you want and then you go somewhere where it is quite the contrary and it makes you appreciate what you do have.

If you let Him, God will supply all your needs. If you follow Him and are faithful, He will provide.

Being content is not being satisfied with what you have, but it is knowing God’s plan for your life and being content with living it. Believing that God’s peace is greater than the world’s problems is key to understanding contentment..

The latest global statistic shows that if one has a roof over his head and a meal on his table he is richer than 93 percent of the world’s population.

Stay in God’s peace. Be content with what God has given you and be a good steward of everything He allows you to have.

Hebrews 13:5 - “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Although I recently returned home from a mission trip to Peru, I consider my mission field outside my front door. God commands us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all. But this doesn’t have to be by plane, train or even automobile. Look outside your front door. That’s your mission field.

Visit your neighbor. Take time to listen to their story and ask them if they would like to hear your story.

I am becoming more bold for God. They say that practice makes perfect and although I’ll never be perfect, I can be confident that what I say about God is true and real.

The salvation of all nations should be a concern of every Christian. Get involved in missions. Get inspired to reach the lost. Be an ambassador for Christ. Tell someone about Jesus today.

Mark 16:15 - “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Life is not about achievements or accomplishments.  It's about relationships.

Being content does not come naturally to humans.  Being content is a learned habit for most of us.  Many people in the U.S. have a lot more than other third-world countries could even imagine as far as tangible things.  Yet, you will find that most Americans are not satisfied with what they have.

My fellow Christians know that when we leave this world, we won't be taking any of these tangible possessions with us to heaven.  So why not focus on your relationships with people and most importantly, with God.

For myself, I value my relationship with God and my relationships with my family and friends.

Be content with what God has given you and look to Him for everything you need.  God will provide.

Philippians 4:12-13 says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” 

The definition of confidence is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.

We have a choice.  We can either have confidence in man, which may or may not work out.  Or, you can have confidence in Christ, knowing and believing that by acknowledging and believing in Christ, we are saying that we believe and trust that He can make all things work out for the good.

If you're trusting that God provides, then your confidence in it coming to fruition will help strengthen your faith.

It's like watching God in action in your life.  You look to Him for guidance. You have faith and confidence that He will provide.  This not only makes you a stronger Christian, it brings you closer to God.

Stand firm in your belief in God.  Acknowledge where your confidence comes from and honor the God that gave it to you.

Psalm 14:2 – "The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God."

Are you letting Satan steal your joy today?  Are you so consumed with worry that you can think of nothing else?  I've been there.  I know what this feels like, but when it's you that's going through it, it can be overwhelming.

The Bible says this: "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

I know how hard it is to overcome depression.  Two years ago, it almost killed me.  But I persevered.  I did what my church family was telling me to do.  I started praying.  I started reading my Bible.  And you know what?  Within a few months, the situation started to take a turn for the better.  Little by little I came out of that dark time.  Satan lost that battle.

God didn't create us to be fearful of man.  He gave us power and love and a sound mind.

If you remember anything from this blog today, remember this:  The more we dwell on the terrible things that are going on, the less we have room for God to step in and take control of the situation. 

So why not try something different this time.  Praise God.  Not for what's going on in your life, but for Him being near.  Praise God for all the good things in your life.  God promises you that His plans for you are to prosper.

Let God be God.