Category: Heaven

Knowing and Cherishing the Hope
The apostle Paul prayed some pretty powerful prayers and the New Testament records not a few of them. One of his prayers in his epistle to the church in Ephesus is quite noteworthy. The one we are about to share requires that you be sitting down with your seatbelt fastened. Are you ready?

Here goes: by the way, this is from the Amplified Version of the Bible:

And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), Ephesians 1:18

Dear one, this Vlog is for YOU!

Hello friend and welcome to 5 Minutes of Hope.

Today’s topic is: Knowing and Cherishing the Hope.

The Bible tells us that we see through a glass darkly.

BOY, is THAT the truth. Some things … we just don’t see a clear picture of … and … we NEED to have the very center and core of our being … ILLUMINATED … so that the truth is brought out into the light, and we see it for what it truly is.

Where HOPE resides … FEAR, DOUBT, WORRY, PANIC, and ANXIETY … have NO welcome mat here!

Go ahead and LET them herald the bad and depressing news.

OUR hope is in Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation!

Let deception and deceit run rampant and wickedly wild.

OUR hope is in Jesus Christ, our strong and mighty tower!

Let whomsoever may say what they will about us and our faith.

OUR hope is in Jesus Christ, our Rock, our Sword, our Shield!

♫ My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name.

– Edward Mote

Paul prayed: that we would KNOW and CHERISH the hope.

The Hope: the divine guarantee

The Hope: the confident expectation

Heartbreak, pain, and loss are all too common in our hearts today, dear friend. But there is coming a day … when there will be:

NO … MORE heartaches!

NO … MORE sickness!

NO … MORE suffering!

♫ No more crying there, we are going to see the King! No more dying there, we are going to see the King! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We are going to see the King! – Andraé Crouch

Our hope is NOT in creation but IN the Creator!

Our hope is NOT in the constellations but IN the Christ!

Our hope is NOT in fairies, pixies, gnomes, goblins, gremlins, and hobgoblins but in JESUS CHRIST, the Son of the LIVING God!

Our hope is NOT in a set of regulations and rules but IN the Ruler of the universe!

Our hope is where we hang our hearts that one day … in heaven … we will have what we hope for down here!

Mighty God, help us to know and to cherish the hope we have in You. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray. Amen

Friend, may you be FILLED with hope today and share it with others.
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June 17, 2022

Anxiety, Calm, Doubt, Expectation, Faith, Fear, Heaven, Hope, Illumination, Knowing, Letting go, panic, Peace, Stress, Truth, Worry
Where the Sun Never Sets
Hey, Doug Dial here with 1 minute of hope.

♫ There’s a city that looks o’er the valley of death,

And its glories can never be told

There the sun never sets, and the leaves never fade,

In that beautiful city of gold.

♫ There the sun never sets, and the leaves never fade;

And the eyes of the faithful our Savior behold

In that beautiful city of gold. – Fanny Crosby

The Scriptures declare that “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” I Corinthians 15:19

Dear one, our hope and our help comes from God who lives and dwells in heaven. He has made and is preparing a place for us there now and one day and one day soon we will abide with Him forever.

No more tears.

No more sorrow.

No more death.
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May 26, 2022

Anxiety, Calm, City of Gold, Death, Faith, Fear, Heaven, Home, Hope, Letting go, Peace, Sorrow, Stress, Tears
A Better Country
The numbers may change tomorrow or next week but, according to my latest research, there are currently 195 countries listed on planet earth.

The two largest, China and India, boast of populations of nearly 1.5 billion people. The smallest country, Holy See, has less than 1,000.

Poor countries.

Large countries.

Old countries.

Over developed countries.

Countries neither you or I would choose to visit much less reside therein.

My country: the good old US of A! While we may be facing our share of challenges and trying times, these United States still offer so much promise and opportunity. However … I want something better.

Hello friend and welcome to 5 Minutes of Hope.

Today’s topic is: A Better Country

And … it seems as though I’m in pretty good company. Listen to the hearts’ cry of the men and women of God spoken of in the 11th chapter of Hebrews.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

You MUST know we’re going break into song RIGHT NOW!

I can’t do The Goodman Family justice but …

♫ We’re looking for a city, where we’ll never die,

There with sainted millions, never say goodbye,

There we’ll meet our Savior, and our loved ones too,

Come O Holy Spirit, all our hopes renew.

– W. Oliver Cooper

How fitting of a carpenter

To build His bride a home.

A vast, eternal dwelling place,

Never more to roam.

Let not your heart be troubled

He spoke this word of hope.

Of His Father’s many mansions,

Who can fathom the scope?

He’s off to prepare a place for us

We’ll live with Him forever.

No more sickness, grief, pain, or death,

Never, never, never!

Dear one, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever … believes in him … should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

This present world, with all the pleasures and joys it has to offer, is temporary, passing, failing, and fading.

I firmly believe God is allowing our country and countries around this vast globe to become SO undesirable so that our hearts are set on a BETTER COUNTRY.

Our Hope!

Our eternal Home!

Heaven!

A better country!

Mighty God, we thank You for the country we live in and how You’ve abundantly blessed it. But … we LONG for a better one. An ETERNAL country. Like Abraham of old, help us to look forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray. Amen

Friend, may you be FILLED with hope today and share it with others.
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May 23, 2022

Anxiety, Calm, Death, Eternal Life, Everlasting life, Faith, Fear, grief, Heaven, Hope, Letting go, Pain, Peace, Sickness, Stress
Dad Durost
Arnold Durost and I first met in the early seventies at the Full Gospel Assembly Church in Presque Isle, Maine. I took an instant liking to him for he was truly a man of God and I but a youth in Christ. At some point shortly thereafter, I adopted him as my dad, and he loved me like a son. His quiet spirit and his deep love of God and family schooled me. I dearly love this servant of God.

As I pen this, cancer has invaded just about every part of Arnold’s body. Diagnosed with this dreaded disease almost two years ago, he rests comfortably in his home in Presque Isle. His sweet wife and family are all close by, ministering to his every need.

Arnold Durost was born at his home in Fort Fairfield, Maine on September 13, 1925. He was one of nine children. Sadly, when Arnold was still but a youth, both of his parents passed on. In order to help take care of his family he left school at the age of 16 to find work. Arnold worked at the Paramount movie theater in town which is where he met his bride to be, Muriel Nason. In 1952, he gave his life to Christ and on August 26th of that same year, he and Muriel were wed. They moved to Limestone, Maine where they attended the Limestone Pentecostal Church. There they ministered in song and taught Sunday School. Arnold and his lovely wife had two girls and one boy whom they trained in the ways of God. They later adopted a six-month-old boy and raised dozens of foster children over the years.

In the sixties, Dad began his career at the Loring Air Force Base Commissary and attended Cornell University where he received his Managerial Diploma. He served as Head Cashier until being promoted to Manager of that facility. Arnold received many certificates and awards while employed there and was extremely successful until his retirement in 1987.

The family moved back to Fort Fairfield and attended the United Pentecostal Church where Dad served faithfully as a Deacon. In the early seventies, God was moving in a powerful way among the young people at the Presque Isle Full Gospel Church. Desiring to see his own teenage children experience the revival, he chose to move his membership there. It was my good fortune to attend the same assembly where I had the privilege of meeting this great mentor and friend.

Dad loves the holidays and any occasions that involve family get-togethers.

On June 7, 2013, Arnold Durost said good-bye to Earth and hello to Heaven. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, deacon, Sunday school teacher and friend to many. So long sorrow, hello Savior. Good-bye cancer, sickness, death and pain. Hello eternity! Where he is never to suffer again.
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May 21, 2022

Anxiety, Calm, Faith, Father, Fear, Friendship, Heaven, Hope, Letting go, Mentor, Peace, Stress
To a Better Place
When darkness aims to crush you,

make you quit the race;

Remember that I called you,

To a better place.

I chose you for a purpose,

and saved you by My grace.

Child, soon I’ll take you,

To a better place.

You haven’t seen My best yet,

You’ve only had a taste.

Just wait until I bring you

to a better place.

This world is not your home;

“Tis simply not the case.

You’re awaiting your departure,

To a better place.
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May 18, 2022

Anxiety, Calm, Faith, Fear, Heaven, Hope, Letting go, Peace, Stress
Our King
Hey, Doug Dial here with one minute of hope.

God was not voted into office and God will not be voted out of office.

He WAS, IS and EVERMORE shall be: the KING of the universe.

He is to be worshipped, adored, praised, and trusted.

He is our Rock.

He is our Refuge.

He is our Strength.

♫ So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise, they don’t worry me; for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God …

– by Bill & Gloria Gaither

When Christ dangled on that cross … an EXTREMELY tough spot to be in, wouldn’t you say? As he hung there, he cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46

Friend, there IS no safer place on earth.

Commit your life, your ENTIRE life into the hands of the Almighty and He will be your safety and your salvation.
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April 11, 2022

Refuge, Rock, Strength
Whispers of What
These days are filled with constant conversations in my head. I talk to God. I think some people just “talk” in their own heads. Not me. I talk to God as if He were right here in front of me. This is what I am whispering to God.

“God, You know.”

“You know how incompetent I am.“

“I made a small mistake. It is nothing. Why is it, God (lest I forget who I am talking with), that I work so hard to help and cover everyone’s back, yet no one has mine?”

“Wait, I know who has my back, it is You. Jesus, all my mistakes are forgiven, right? You promised that right? Please God, wash me today in Your River. Wash me clean.”

“But I need. I am the most needy person. Oh God, I am so glad you don’t judge me too needy by the world’s standards. You can have all my neediness.”

This is how I constantly discuss my life with God. Each day I find something more I am not capable of dealing with. Sometimes the whisper is — “Hey God, You got this one right? I can’t hold on anymore. You take it.”

How is your relationship with your creator? The future looks so promising. If only this-then that-then the next, and I will be ok. Yet God says. “Come unto Me all who are weary.” Matthew 11:28

I am waiting. Waiting on answered prayer. Waiting on guidance. Once a need is answered there is another right behind it. I trust in the promise – “when I trust in You, God, with all my heart, and I lean on Your understanding not mine. When all my ways are following Your Guidance, then You show me the way to go.” (Proverbs 3:5,6) (my phrasing only)
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April 11, 2022

Anxiety, Forgiven, Mistakes, Prayer, Trust
Our Refuge in Trouble
Hey, Doug Dial here with one minute of hope.

When I heard the police officer behind me say, “Don’t move”, I knew I was in trouble. I guess climbing up into the second-story window behind JJ Newberry’s that night in Presque Isle wasn’t such a great idea after all.

Sometimes … trouble is of our own making.

Sometimes … troubles have a way of finding us.

EITHER way:

The Psalmist declared: “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

Large troubles. Small troubles. ALL troubles.

Friend, no matter what trouble we may find ourselves in at this very moment, we NEED to RUN to Him for He IS OUR REFUFE in times of trouble.
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April 9, 2022

Refuge, Trouble
Holding on and Letting go
Having been raised in a fairly QUIET and a fairly FORMAL Baptist church in my growing up years, when I first stepped foot inside a Pentecostal church, it was … interesting. Generally speaking, you can sense EXCITEMENT in the air. Exuberance and expectation EXUDE from the congregants. More times than not you’ll find them on their feet, worshiping, waving, and loving on God. After worship, and after the preacher has proclaimed Christ CRUCIFIED, RISEN, and COMING AGAIN, it is a common practice to have an altar call. WHAT is an altar call, you might ask?

Hello friend and welcome to 5 Minutes of Hope.

Today’s topic is: Holding on and Letting Go.

The altar call at a Pentecostal church is where … people meet God. If it’s your FIRST encounter, it’s what’s known as, “coming to Christ”, or “getting saved”, or “being born again”. If you’re already “saved” you are going to the altar for a “touch from God” a “closer walk”, a “deeper experience”. Now then, it can get awfully LOUD at a Pentecostal altar when several folks are calling upon God at the same time. It is not at all unusual to hear someone praying on one side of you, “HOLD ON” while the person on the other side is encouraging you to “LET GO”.

Holding on and letting go.

Listen to this encouragement from the Word of God: “Let us seize and HOLD TIGHTLY the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful to his word”.

Hebrews 10:23

And, just a few words later: “As for us, we have all these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must LET GO of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination for the path has been already marked out before us”.

Hebrews 12:1

Hold on and let go.

Hold on … to God’s promises.

Let go … of the devil’s lies.

Hold on … to the ♫ faith of our father’s living still.

Let go … of doubt and worry.

Hold on … to God’s unchanging hand.

Let go … of being led down the path of deceit.

Hold on … to God’s forgiveness.

Let go … of ALL unforgiveness.

Like the steer wrestler at the country rodeo … HOLD ON … for dear life to all that is good and right and godly and … HOLD ON … tight because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. With the other hand … LET GO! Throw it up in the air in an act of worship and surrender to God and His will.

Dear one, let’s find balance and victory in the HOLDING ON and the LETTING GO.

Mighty God, we thank You for Your Word which teaches us the need to HOLD ON to You and LET GO of our entire lives, placing them into Your loving and faithful hands. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray. Amen

Friend, may you be FILLED with hope today and share it with others.
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April 9, 2022

Anxiety, Holding on, Hope, Letting go, Peace, Peace, Stress
THIS Event
Hey, Doug Dial here with One Minute of Hope.

Anticipating an upcoming event can truly put a smile on your face. Or not. I suppose an approaching appointment to the dentist might not bring a smile. See what I did there?

Anywho, Lord willing, we’re off to the sunny west coast of Florida in just three weeks. Yee HAW! Can’t wait! That being said, we cannot live our todays constantly dwelling on what might be in our future. Says YOU!

What about THIS event, dear friend? The second coming of the Lord.

God promised us a Savior the first time and He was delivered … right on time!

God promised us His Son would return and He WILL! Right on time!

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout …

I Thessalonians 4:16

THIS is our great hope!
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April 8, 2022

Heaven, Hope, Peace

Category: Heaven

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