Hope…
 |
| is for Hope |
Noun – 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or
2. a particular instance of this feeling
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance
5. something that is hoped for
Verb
1.
to look forward to with desire and reasonable
confidence.
to look forward to with desire and reasonable
confidence.
2.
to believe, desire, or trust.
to believe, desire, or trust.
3.
to feel that something desired may happen
to feel that something desired may happen
4. to place trust; rely
Whether we are talking about hope or hoping, life is only anempty existence without it. Three things will last forever—faith,
hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13 Hope is the link
that holds faith and love together.
How many times a day
do we use the word hope? “I hope this
works.” “I hope it doesn’t rain. ” “I hope this dress is OK.” “I hope we don’t run out of gas. ” “I hope my children are happy. ” “I hope there is enough food. ”
do we use the word hope? “I hope this
works.” “I hope it doesn’t rain. ” “I hope this dress is OK.” “I hope we don’t run out of gas. ” “I hope my children are happy. ” “I hope there is enough food. ”
One day while I
‘hoped’ through the day, I wondered why I was saying: “I hope you will get
well.” I hope you have success in the
job interview.” I hope you do well in
your exams.” Why did I say hope? Is it an “I hope so, but I don’t know?” Or did I mean that I was praying? “I pray that your surgery is successful.
” “I pray that you don’t get lost on
your way. ” “I pray that your child recovers.”
‘hoped’ through the day, I wondered why I was saying: “I hope you will get
well.” I hope you have success in the
job interview.” I hope you do well in
your exams.” Why did I say hope? Is it an “I hope so, but I don’t know?” Or did I mean that I was praying? “I pray that your surgery is successful.
” “I pray that you don’t get lost on
your way. ” “I pray that your child recovers.”
When we hope, what are
we saying?
we saying?
– We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 31:20
Psalm 31:20
– So be strong and courageous, all you who put
your hope in the Lord!
your hope in the Lord!
Psalm 31:24
– You are my refuge and my shield; your word is
my source of hope.
my source of hope.
Psalm
119:114
119:114
– May all who fear you find in me a cause for
joy, for I have put
my hope in your word.
Psalm 11:74
joy, for I have put
my hope in your word.
Psalm 11:74
Without God, hope would
be dead. What do we do that indicates a
hope of the future? Plant a garden or a
wheat field. Sew garments to wear. Plan a party.
Celebrate past events in preparation for another celebration. Say goodbye, expecting another hello. Prepare a meal for family and guests. Put gas in the car to travel a distant place. Milk a cow to make room for new milk. Gather harvests. Fix the bed and launder clothing. In each of these we do, it is because of the
expectation of tomorrow. There is always
an expectation that the sun will rise. It is a given hope, and we don’t even
consider any other result. It just IS.
be dead. What do we do that indicates a
hope of the future? Plant a garden or a
wheat field. Sew garments to wear. Plan a party.
Celebrate past events in preparation for another celebration. Say goodbye, expecting another hello. Prepare a meal for family and guests. Put gas in the car to travel a distant place. Milk a cow to make room for new milk. Gather harvests. Fix the bed and launder clothing. In each of these we do, it is because of the
expectation of tomorrow. There is always
an expectation that the sun will rise. It is a given hope, and we don’t even
consider any other result. It just IS.
That IS, we see every
day, is because of our Creator. He created everything we see about us, under us
and above us. He made the seeds we
plant, provided the clothing we wear and the food we eat. Furthermore, he answers our prayers, guides
our footsteps, straightens our path, and gives us joy and peace through His
Grace. He gives us the desire to be His
and learn his ways. He gives us the
strength and wisdom to hold on to Him no matter how big the storm grows that
surrounds us. He turns our hearts from
sorrow into song, praising His name. We
recognize in our Lord God the meaning of Hope.
day, is because of our Creator. He created everything we see about us, under us
and above us. He made the seeds we
plant, provided the clothing we wear and the food we eat. Furthermore, he answers our prayers, guides
our footsteps, straightens our path, and gives us joy and peace through His
Grace. He gives us the desire to be His
and learn his ways. He gives us the
strength and wisdom to hold on to Him no matter how big the storm grows that
surrounds us. He turns our hearts from
sorrow into song, praising His name. We
recognize in our Lord God the meaning of Hope.
Where does the
recognition of this hope lead? Hope
leads to Heaven. But how does it lead to
Heaven? God gave us the hope when He
sent his Only Begotten Son, Jesus to this earth to die on the cross in payment
of our sins, past, present and future.
God raised Jesus up from the dead after three days. Where was the hope during this time? It was live and well, because the Father and
the Son knew ‘the rest of the story.’
recognition of this hope lead? Hope
leads to Heaven. But how does it lead to
Heaven? God gave us the hope when He
sent his Only Begotten Son, Jesus to this earth to die on the cross in payment
of our sins, past, present and future.
God raised Jesus up from the dead after three days. Where was the hope during this time? It was live and well, because the Father and
the Son knew ‘the rest of the story.’
Hope is a matter of life
and death. It changes everything. If our hope is in the world, it leads to
death. If our hope is in our Lord, it
leads to life eternal. Hope in God removes the bars of hopelessness around our
spirit. Hope brightens the eyes and the
will to live. Hope in Jesus creates joy.
and death. It changes everything. If our hope is in the world, it leads to
death. If our hope is in our Lord, it
leads to life eternal. Hope in God removes the bars of hopelessness around our
spirit. Hope brightens the eyes and the
will to live. Hope in Jesus creates joy.
Hope is a stairway to
Heaven. A smile leads to encouragement,
encouragement leads to a spirit of “I can” in Christ, the spirit of “I can” in
Christ leads to trust, trust leads to hope in Christ, and hope in Christ leads
to love. Loving God and others leads to
strength in the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.
What a difference hope makes!
Heaven. A smile leads to encouragement,
encouragement leads to a spirit of “I can” in Christ, the spirit of “I can” in
Christ leads to trust, trust leads to hope in Christ, and hope in Christ leads
to love. Loving God and others leads to
strength in the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.
What a difference hope makes!
– Through Christ you have come to trust in God.
And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he
raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. I Peter 1:2
And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he
raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. I Peter 1:2
– I pray that your
hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people
who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18
hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people
who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18
– For there is one
body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for
the future. Ephesians 4:4
body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for
the future. Ephesians 4:4
– After all, what
gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and
crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! I Thessalonians 2:19
gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and
crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! I Thessalonians 2:19
– Love never gives up,
never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. I Corinthians 13:7
never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. I Corinthians 13:7
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