HOPE!

I have declared 2017 the Year of HOPE for myself. It seems that everywhere I turn I am hearing the word "hope" mentioned. Just this week, I have heard it in politics, in a book I am reading, in a sermon, and from a conversation with a friend.

When I am confronted so many times, in many different ways, I pay attention to what the Lord is trying to say to me. As I begin 2017 I am meditating, studying, and pondering all that I can learn about HOPE.

Hope is defined in Webster's Dictionary as (1) cherishing a desire with anticipation, (2) trust (3) to desire with expectation, with confidence.

In God's Word, the Greek Word for hope means to wait in full confidence. Consider the following verses:

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 1 Tim 4:10 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Heb. 11:1 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.  Romans 8:25 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:13 God's Word also says that among Faith, Hope, and Love, the greatest of these is love. But hope is listed among the top three. What is he difference between faith and hope? Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, things unseen! Faith is believing that what we hope for will come to pass. Faith is believing. Hope is expecting. Researching the difference between these two words, I have concluded that faith is based on Truth from God's Word and believing that Truth. Hope is based on the goodness of God, and on fighting against tribulation, trials, and a spirit of heaviness from our circumstances. Hope is what keeps our spirits up, what keeps us acting joyful, what prevents us from defeat and gives us victory! We must know God's Word to have faith so that we can act or obey God's Word. The more we know, the more our faith grows. Not one of God's promises will ever fail! When we know what those promises are, we can be confident that He will keep His Word! In the same way, the more we learn God's Word, the more we learn about God's character. We can know that He is a God who does not change, and when He says He loves us, wants good things for us, He blesses us, provides for us, sees us, thinks about us, guards us, fights for us, heals us, sustains us, and prepares a place for us, we can expect that these things are available to us when we feel unloved, lacking, alone, abandoned, weak, attacked, sick, weary, defeated with no place to turn. He commands us to have hope! We are to hope in our salvation, to hope in the goodness of God, to hope in the future, to hope in the heavenly places where He is at work for us! Faith comes from knowing the truth and obeying the truth, even when circumstances seem to go against it. Hope comes from believing that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. So my hope is in Jesus. Not in a political process, a government, nor a religion. My hope comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, who is my help in ever present times of trouble! Psalm 127 My Hope: In 2016 I will hope in our new President, because the Lord has anointed him, consecrated him against all odds, just like he did King David from the Bible. He has saved him, surrounded him with godly counselors, pastors and prayer warriors. We have hope in the future of our country because one who has proclaimed to follow God is in charge, so we HOPE he fulfills his calling.  I will hope that in my community I will find a place to serve, to contribute, to show the love of Jesus. I will hope in my church that I will find a place to connect with other believers and encourage them in God's Word. I will hope in my home that my children will be followers of Christ and dedicate their days to the Lord, fulfilling their callings and using their giftings. I will hope that my family will remain healthy and well. I will hope in the prosperity of our family that we will be financially healthy and prosperous. I will hope that the economy turns around and that we are able to have surplus enough to feed and clothe the poor and bless the missionaries. I will hope that I am in the center of God's will and that I accomplish the purpose for which I was called. What is it that you for HOPE for?  ---------------------------- Our hope is in the Lord. He loves us. He knows the plans He has for us, to give us a future and a hope. He wants to bless us. He wants to walk with us, talk with us, tell us we are His own, to be our Friend, our Confidante, our Beloved. He loves us with an everlasting love. He wants to bless us with rewards in heaven for the work we do on earth to build the Kingdom, works done in His name, works He has set aside for us to do. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Rock, our Help, our Master, our Teacher, our Sustainer and all we will ever need. Therefore we can put our trust in Him.  Never lose hope! Keep your spirits up when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings rewards! Romans 5:3-5, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out! Keep hope alive! Hope for the new year. Hope that great things will happen in 2017!  Have a blessed and hopeful new year!

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