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HOPE

I am sure that we all have our hopes. We hope for this or that. It is a word that is frequently used by us all. But what exactly is hope and what should we as Christians be hoping for?

God's word speaks of hope throughout it's pages. We are told what it means to have hope and what we as Christians have for hope.


Hope is a desire of something good:

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;


Hope is confidence in a future event:

Gal 5:5  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.


Hope is the source of indescribable happiness:

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.




Our source of hope:

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Joe 3:16  ...   the LORD will be the hope of his people ...



Hope is our Salvation:

Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.




It is through hope that we can glory in tribulations:

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Psa 43:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.




It is easy to be depressed in this old world that is full of sin, sickness and death and yes it does get worse by the minute. We as Christians have hope, hope in God's word and His promises to us, the hope that is God, hope that brings exceeding great joy and gladness for we have the hope that is within us.


1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

AMEN PASTOR ROGER!

Brother, this is something I've been thinking about and praying about for several days. This is also a beautiful issue to study, and it should be based upon GOD'S Promises. I say GOD'S Promises because we know that HE keeps every single one most perfectly, ever fails, and never forsakes HIS Children. We must consider our HOPE and GOD'S Promises to put things in proper perspective in our lives.

Realistically, Christians shouldn't be placing much hope in politicians and man because they will always disappoint, fail, lie, or otherwise not deliver what they promised. GOD is the opposite. We must also consider time when we try to put things into perspective. If we live to 100, that would be a long time by man's standards, but GOD has Promised us Eternal Life in Heaven without the problems, fear, pain, and tears of this short life.

So, the real question is whether or not a Christian can endure this short life and yield to the things that GOD wants each of us to do. The answer is YES! It's "YES!" because we're not alone and have GOD to help us. How many things can we do in CHRIST, and how much strength is CHRIST in us? We need to forget about what we ALONE can do and concentrate on what GOD can do working in and through us. When we think about our weaknesses and failures, we need to change our focus to the strength of CHRIST!  Think about the beautiful old hymn: is there any secret for Christians about what GOD can do? How many of HIS Children has HE been with and helped throughout history? What HE'S done for others, HE can do for us. Our part is to pray within HIS Will and YIELD to HIM in our daily lives.

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Love IN Christ,
Tom

 

Amen! A study just on the word of hope alone can be not only a beautiful study but a lengthy one. It encompasses so much of God's word, His promises for us, the joy that we have now and will have more of in His time. My original study on this would have taken about 15 pages. I decided to break it down into much smaller segments to make it easier to read.

Brother, you've chosen a perfect time to post a study like this. I look forward to it and plan to enjoy it. This is something that every Christian needs in these difficult times as things change for the worse and worse in this evil world. I hope and pray that many Christians will be uplifted with what we should all know is the absolute TRUTH. Thanks sincerely for your timely effort.

Love In Christ,
Tom