Hope in its purest form is a spiritual force. Empowering and sustaining you when the light at the end of the tunnel is invisible.
Hope is the confident expectation that regardless of circumstances. Papa makes everything work out according to His plan.
Jesus and the early Church lived amidst turmoil and unpredictability. Violent revolts, crime and Roman oppression characterized the times.
Even so, hope reigned because of the Gospel. The promise of a regenerated heart and immortality sustained people during this turbulent time.
Nothing has changed. The times today are just as chaotic and unpredictable. People are disillusioned and frightened.
What can you do?
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. Matthew 6:20
Get your minds ready for action. Being self-disciplined. Set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who called you is holy. You also are to be holy in all your conduct.
For it is written. “Be holy, because I am holy.”
And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work. You are to conduct yourselves in reverence during this time of temporary residence.
For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ. Like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
He was destined before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you. Who through Him are believers in God. Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory. So that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:13-21
Individuals are living longer today. Regrettably, many of these lives are more a testament to the simple act of breathing than purpose.
Many have lost the ability. Even the desire to dream that tomorrow will be better because of their contributions. The insatiable need for affirmation has negated others ability to dream selflessly.
This includes the Church. No longer boldly proclaiming that Jesus was born into this world to testify to the the Lord’s truth. The voice of the Church has been drowned out by the voices of the world.
God’s truth has been watered down to make it less offensive or dressed up to make it more attractive. Resulting in a weak and spiritually immature Church. Whose positive impact upon the culture is negligible.
Only God’s truth can break the chains that have enslaved the Church. Truth that transcends denominational and secular boundaries.
Truth that exemplifies the God worthy of worship— the God of Scripture.
The God of love and relationship, not a god of rules and rituals.
The God of faith, not the politically correct god of the culture.
The God of truth, not a god who promises a false sense of peace.
The God who is waiting for true worshipers to worship the Father in Spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth. John 4:23-24
Worshippers who are also spirit warriors. Knowing that from the days of John the Baptist until the present time. The Kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force as a precious prize. A share in the heavenly Kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion. Matthew 11:12
An assault that destroys the lies of political correctness and religious dogma. So that Christ is the foundational stone upon which a vibrant, valiant and victorious Church is built.
A Church boldly proclaiming to the world and to the supernatural realm, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
Spirit warriors who…
Refuse to embrace the culture’s definition of reality. The values, priorities and dreams that contradict the Lord’s truth.
Refuse to worship anyone or anything other than Jesus— the Son of the living God.
Have no illusions of grandeur. They understand that God’s Kingdom is not a democracy. He alone decides the whos, whats, whens and whys of His Kingdom.
Come from every walk of life and embrace this social diversity. Distinctions of rank and social class are irrelevant. Even though we are many individuals. Christ makes us one body. Individuals who are connected to each other. Romans 12:5
Acknowledge that Christ is the head of the Church.
For many the Church is simply a clearing house of information. Because of this paradigm, millions remain non-believers or spiritually immature. The rate of return on the required investment of time, money and energy is viewed as negligible at best. And until someone gives them reason to believe otherwise. They will remain unattached spiritually.
The only way to change this perception is for the Church to return to Her first love, Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. By Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible. Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him.
He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. So that He might come to have first place in everything.
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him. Through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross. Whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:15-20
GO DEEPER
Hope is powerful.
Hope is the force shield that protects you from satan and this fallen world.
Hope nourishes your body, soul and spirit during those seasons in the wilderness. When your life is in suspended animation.
Hope encourages you to persevere when all hell is breaking loose around you.
Without hope your body, soul and spirit will die a slow, agonizing death.
How can you tell when your hope is waning?
What are 3 strategies you use or could use to combat hopelessness?
(Excerpt from I AM Fountain of Hope)
letsloveothers 