June 29, 2012

Hopeless to Hopeful

Written by Boyd Bailey

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 29, 2012

“There is hope in your future, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:17, NKJV

In Christ there is hope; outside of Christ there is no hope. Those focused on heaven find hope; those focused on earth find hope illusive. A life lived by faith is hopeful, but a life lived in fear is hopeless. Hope is not just the outcome of an optimist, it is the fruit of those whose security is in their Savior Jesus Christ. Moreover, money messes with the mind as it demands full allegiance to the almighty dollar in exchange for a false hope.

However, we discover authentic hope and freedom in our submission to Christ as Lord and Master of our fate. Deep abiding hope is not a strategy, but a reality when we bow in reverent obedience to God. He does not tease His children with pseudo promises. On the contrary, our heavenly Father gave what was most precious to Him, His Son, so we could become sons and daughters of the most High. Indeed, hope is a gift from God.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

Where is the root of your hope grounded? In your job or Jesus? With friends or faith? In your home or heaven? In earthly riches or the riches of God’s grace? Satan cannot steal the seed of hope when you plant it in the soil of Scripture. Your hope in Christ is not conditional to circumstances; rather it thrives on trust when assaulted by ambiguity. You move from hopelessness to hopefulness when what matters most, matters the most.

Jesus matters most. Faith matters most. Family matters most. Friends matter most. Love matters most. Fear of God matters most. Evangelism matters most. Discipleship matters most. Stewardship matters most. A healthy diet and regular exercise matter most. Prayer matters most, bible study matters most and forgiveness matters most. Your focus on what matters most is fuel for attaining comfort, hope and courage from Christ. He matters most.

Therefore, be hopeful as a child of God. Your hope in Christ is an advertisement for the Almighty. Those with no hope are attracted to the genuine hope in your heart. Indeed, you are hopeful, because of the origin of your optimism, and the greater purpose of your hope is to bring hope to the hopeless. Suicide shrivels with the prospect of hope. Faith comes alive in Christ and His loving acceptance. Praise the Lord that your hope is alive!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I embrace Your living hope in Christ, thanks for our hope in Him.

Related Readings: Ecclesiastes 9:4; Jeremiah 17:13; 1 Timothy 4:10; Colossians 3:1-4

Post/Tweet this today: Focus on heaven finds hope; focus on earth finds hope illusive. #hope

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Comments

  1. Linda says:

    This was JUST what I needed today, thank you!

  2. Dave says:

    I thought your 5th paragraph a bit confusing. There are a lot of “matters most”. Shouldn’t it be just “Jesus matters most” and everything else comes after that fact? Yes family is extremely important and all the other things you mentioned, but only One is far above the rest! Don’t you think? Of course, I could very well be missing your point entirely, lol……


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