HOPE ....

HOPE

Think about recent conversations with friends or family. If you listen carefully, you either hear people excitedly speaking of their dreams and visions (hopeful expectations) OR you hear that they have lost Hope in the midst of their life circumstances. Sadly, you can see in their body language and hear in their words the anticipation of worst-case scenarios, cynicism, resentment, anger, blame ~ hopelessness ~ an inability to see beyond their circumstances!

And in reality, losing Hope means they have lost faith. For Hebrews 11:1 says "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." (NLT)

“What we hope for will actually happen.” So, what are we Hoping for – God’s promises or the worst case scenario of our battle? Ah, you say …. I’m believing God’s promises, BUT you don’t know what I am going through!*

Though friends and family may not completely understand, we must never forget that Jesus does! Remember, He lived here! He was tempted, misquoted, misunderstood, beaten/persecuted and died for you and me …. so that we would have life and have it more abundantly. He truly knows every aspect of the pain, disappointment and challenges you face for HE is the Powerful, Sovereign One who knew you before you were even created; who created you with great plans and purpose; the One who is always with you; …. Jesus the only Truth and Life.

Is your HOPE in Him and all that He did for you? Is God bigger than your mountain (circumstances)?

Psalm 62:5-6, 8 "My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my HOPE and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved." "Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!" (Amplified)

Jesus says to you … here I am, take My hand and follow Me; draw near to Me and I will comfort you; give you wisdom; protect you … Here I am, just look to Me instead of your circumstances; allow Me to move your mountain of circumstances and burdens.

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (NLT)

God's love and blessings,

Resources:

John 10:10 “"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (NASB)

*James 1:5-8 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (NLT)

Psalm 139:13-18

Psalm 91 “…If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;” (The Message)

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Amplified)

John 14:6 “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (NLT)

Psalm 121:1-2 “ I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains." (The Message)

Psalm 34:17-18 “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (NLT)

Romans 8:28 “We are assured and know that [ God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose...” (Amplified)

Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope." (Amplified)

Isaiah 26:4 "So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]." (Amplified)

Hebrews 6:18 "So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." (NLT)