HOPE

It has been said, "You can live a few days without water, but you can't begin to live without hope." Hope has been illusive to many in recent days. So, the greatest gift anyone can give you is hope! This gift is not in the form of a payment from the government or the promise of a politician; it comes from God alone!

When we consider the purpose in God’s plan to provide a way for us to be reconciled and have a relationship with God, we see that Jesus brings hope to all of mankind. Hope is defined as “the desire for something with confident expectation of its fulfillment.” Hope is a force that keeps us moving forward. Without hope, purpose fades and the future grows dim. Jesus often spoke about the future and in John 14:1-3 He assures us, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Many of us have experienced great trials in this past year. Some brief – others long and still enduring. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

Then in John 16:33, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” A friend and strong believer in God who recently lost her husband said to me, “At least we have hope.”

In God’s Word I find encouragement, help, wisdom, truth and so much more that fills me with hope. Even when I cannot see or understand how my situation will be resolved, I am hopeful, knowing that God has a plan and that He is working in all things to benefit those who love Him. When I keep my focus on Him, I can press on with confidence and with hope.

Psalm 62:5-6 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.

Psalm 71:5-6 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.

Isaiah 49:23 …those who hope in me (God) will not be disappointed.

Jeremiah 29:11 "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.”

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

I Peter 1:13 So, prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

I Peter 3:1 … if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

So, as we are a few weeks from celebrating Jesus' Resurrection, take a few moments and focus on the One who brings hope. Hope for today and hope for eternity. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

As you read the following verse, insert your name. This is my prayer for you. May the God of hope fill you, _______, with all joy and peace as you, _______, trust in Him, so that you, _______, may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:0-22

Filling my heart with faith and hope,

Pastor Ken

This Sunday our message at Faith Fellowship will be DEALING WITH ADDICTION

Sunday, there will be a Walk for Life at St. Joseph’s Church in Osceola.  It begins at 3pm and ends at about 4pm with a free chili supper.  Bring your family and actively show that Life is a Gift from God.