7-20-09 Hope

HOPE

Hope is a very powerful thing. Without it the most powerful people have fallen, defeated by despair. With it the weakest, most beaten and run-down people have risen and conquered. We all have things we hope for: things we long to see for ourselves, our children, our church. My question for you today is: Where have you placed your hope?

Our country recently voted a man into office based on the HOPE that he would change things. Because the hope was placed in carnal man, that hope was simply a wish, desire, a CHANCE; nothing more. When I have placed my own hope for a better life in a worldly job, I had only a CHANCE to see the promise of success. When we place our hope for a longer, healthier life in the foods we eat from this fallen earth, we have only a CHANCE to live disease free and our ideal weight.

But, if what you hope for today is placed in the One who promised, “I know the plans I have for you: plans to give you a future and a hope.” then your hope is not just a chance, but can be an EXPECTATION! Something that we can rely fully on, knowing with certainty that IT WILL HAPPEN! Our heavenly Father loves us immeasurably, without restraint, and He wants the very best for us. Every promise He has ever made to you, your family, your church, will come to pass and we can HOPE in that.

When we hope in those things that have been promised by our Father (love, deliverance, freedom, joy, forgiveness, success, eternal life, salvation, prosperity, etc.), we find strength to face even the darkest days, knowing that no matter what we may see or may NOT see, God is working it out for our good, our growth, our salvation.

So, within your cocoon today (as we have been talking about in the Ladies’ Ministry at The Rock) remember to HOPE for the day that will SURELY come when you immerge an incredible, unmatched, glorious butterfly.

From the inside out, one caterpillar to another,

Staci