HOPE

Romans 5:3-5
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help to develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has give us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love."

There are twelves gifts that are given by God to the individual who works through the Twelve Steps. These twelve gifts do not merely provide an escape from the destruction of addiction, they also point toward the possibility of a new and exceptional life. One that was beyond the individuals ability to create for themselves.

The first gift God gives is HOPE.
As defined by a another writer, on the website Christian Crier, we read that"Hope is not “I hope my team wins the Super Bowl” or “I hope I get a raise.” Biblical hope is not a hope-so but it is a know-so.  It isn’t wishing for the best.  It isn’t waiting to see what happens and hope that it turns out well. Hope is not a feeling or an emotion.  Hope is the knowledge of facts.  If someone says to you that “I hope you have a good day,” there is no guarantee that the day will go well.  To have a biblical hope is to have a sure anchor of the soul, not hoping for rain because the forecast says that there is a 60% chance of rain and you hope that you get your garden watered.  That is not hope…that is wishful thinking and it is utterly undependable and has no power to bring anything to pass. Human hope pales in comparison to our hope in who Jesus is." It is a hope that is like faith…a faith that cannot be moved by circumstances or what the eyes see because an unseen God is seen in His faithfulness.

Romans 8:24-25 we read where Paul tells the believer, “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” because “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Rom 8:31)?  If God is on your side, how sure is that hope!   I believe that every person has gone through or will go through a dark night of the soul where deep doubts and fears flare up but extinguishing those fears is as simple as placing your will and life in the care of Jesus. 

The biggest thing we struggle with sometimes is a false belief that God is out to get us. That He goes around with a hand full of lightning bolts just waiting for us to get out of line so He can fry us. What could be farther from the truth. I am going to make a statement, and I pray that you will check it out for yourself. God isn't a loving God....He is love. He is creator and the demonstrator of what real love is. He pours it out on humanity daily. It is us who runs away. It is us who creates these wrong thoughts and concepts in our mind about God. God's desire is to save us from ourselves, save us from a broken relationship with Him, and from an eternal destiny of separation from Him. Such is why I have hope this morning. Such is why I chase after this Jesus so hard. I have hope. Hope that He is who He claims to be. Hope that tells me He will do what He has said He would do.
Hope....

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest 'frain

but wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand.

God on you...

mb

Don't forget that "DOING THE STUFF:101" class starts Wednesday week...August 19th.

Make plans to come out and join us as we learn to do the works of Christ.
meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.