Confident Hope

Hope. It's what every person is craving right now. But where does it come from? Stuff? People? Government? Money? Certainly, not certainty.  Circumstances has proven to the world once again that nothing is “for certain.” So, if hope doesn’t come from these things, where does it come from?
 


Friends, our hope comes from the resurrected Christ. This concept is so challenging for we mere mortals to accept. Jesus is victorious. He conquered death. By accepting His sacrificial gift to us, we are afforded SO many ridiculously amazing gifts in life - like salvation from death, freedom from sin,  purpose and mission for life, joy in the midst of suffering, and HOPE. 



What’s different about our hope? Our hope is not a wish. It is grounded in a concrete understanding of the person in whom we place our hope. Therefore, our hope is more than a “oh please, oh please.” It’s a “I know. I know.” We know that God has a plan. We know that He is at work. We know that He hears us when we pray. We know that He is aware of our deep need. Our need for financial provision, medical attention, and face to face companionship and He is working on our behalf for His glory. We know that He has won the battle over ALL sickness and death. We know that He has placed us here for this time and season to love and serve in ways we haven’t realized yet (or maybe you have and to that I say, “Keep on keeping on, friend!”) We know WHO God is! And, that is where your hope comes from. 



Not stuff. Not people. Not governments. Not money. Not certainty. 



The resurrected Christ! 



As, Paul wrote, "I pray that God, the source of HOPE will fill you completely with joy
and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 



God is your source of HOPE. I pray that you seek Him, find Him, be filled with Him, so that you will overflow with CONFIDENT HOPE to those you text message, FaceTime, buy groceries from, and wave to from across the street. 



Take courage friends and remember His name - Immanuel, God with us. 



For Hearts Overwhelmed by Tragedy

I shared with you earlier in the year that the “one thing” I was going to focus on in 2016 was writing, which is what I believe God has asked me do. So I took to the keyboard and have tried (unsuccessfully at times) to write an encouraging blog once a week. The very year that I have focused on pursuing this calling has been a year drenched with tragedies – personal, national, and global – which have left me heart broken and sometimes afraid. In the midst of these moments I come to my corner, open the Bible, and hear the voice of God directing me through these difficult times. These thoughts I share with you.

Over the past few weeks our world has seen tragedy after tragedy. Our televisions scream headlines our way while our computers shout opinions at us. By the time we figure out how to respond to one incident, we are hammered by another. Many of us are running for the proverbial hills looking for a way out of the chaos. And some of us have lost sleep wondering about the state of our nation and the world. Worry has become our companion; fear, our neighbor.

Perhaps you have not experienced this in that past few weeks or months. True confession: I have.

In these moments, I open my Bible and God speaks.

Hear these words today:

In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (emphasis added).” He also says, in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (emphasis added).”

When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He was close to fulfilling His purpose by being crucified, resurrecting, and returning to heaven. Jesus knew that the disciples’ time on earth would be filled with difficulty and uncertainty. You see, the disciples did not know it but they would face unfathomable amounts of persecution after Jesus returned to heaven. They would be driven out of villages, despised and hunted down by government officials, beaten, imprisoned, burned, exiled, and crucified. Therefore, Jesus gives them peace. Not just any peace… It doesn’t come from government officials, journalists, political commentators, protest organizations, small groups, pastors, hymns, etc. No. This peace comes directly from Jesus Christ.

Do you remember the story of the disciples in the boat? They were sailing on the Sea of Galilee when a storm came and rocked them so furiously that they were overcome with fear. Where was Jesus? Asleep. He had peace. You see, He knew who was in control over all things. Therefore, He had peace in the midst of the storm. Interestingly enough, that’s what He used to calm down the wind and waves. Jesus said, “Peace, be still.” [Read Mark 4:35-41]

This is the peace He offers us. Peace that is rooted in the character of God, not the condition of the world. A peace that always remains and never changes because it comes from Him.

Jesus understands that this world is disturbing and terrifying at times.

This world is under the curse of sin, therefore we will have trouble. There will be disease, famine, hate, war, and persecution. The world will hate us as they hated Christ (John 15:18-19). It will be difficult, uncertain, and at times, painful.

However, we need not fear a battle that has been won nor be afraid of an enemy who has been conquered. The Bible tells us that Jesus has “overcome the world.” When Jesus rose from the dead, He defeated Satan – conquered Him. That’s why the Bible tells us that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).” Jesus won it all. Satan truly has no authority. Therefore, worry and fear have no purpose in keeping you company. No matter how much evil you see in the world, remember the Christ within you. Jesus won the victory. In doing so you have peace through Him.

As you look around and see pain, sadness, devastation, murder, and hatred you might be tempted to panic, worry, fear, or doubt God.

Friend, “Peace, be still.”

Open the scriptures and find your hope, strength, promise, and peace in the Word of God.

Perhaps you are like me and these words from Jesus are exactly what you need today: “Peace I give to you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid… but take heart; I have overcome the world.”