Hope

Just what is hope anyway?   Well for one thing the word "hope" is always used in a positive sense.
We "hope" something happens or turns out positively.  We might "hope" our team wins the game. We might "hope" we have a great birthday.  When we use the word in that form we are wishing for a positive result to occur, but there is also some doubt associated with it as well.  We "hope" something turns out well but we don't know that it will.  It is simply a wish or a desire for things to go "our" way.

Today, however, I want you to think of "hope" in a little different light.  Thirty eight times in the Bible the word "hope" is used.  It is not a wish or a "hope so" kind of thing either. No!  Rather, it is a surety and a trust in God.  I'd like to quote a few passages from the Bible where this word is used and give you a bit of "hope" today for what lies ahead.

Hebrews 11:1  "Now faith is being sure of what we "hope" for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 6:19 "We have this "hope" as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."
I Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love."
Psalm 25 vs 4-5 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my "hope" is in you all day long."
Psalm 25:3 "No one whose "hope" is in you will ever be put to shame...."
Psalm 147:11 "the Lord delights in those who fear im, who put their "hope" in his unfailing love."
Isaiah 41:31 "but those who "hope" in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I'll leave it up to you to discover for yourself all the other passages in the Bible where "hope" is used.
We who are Christians don't just "hope" we get into heaven when we die.  No! since our "hope" is in God who made the way for us to be with him eternally thorugh the cruxifixion and resurrection of his one and only Son, Jesus, we can know we have eternal life and a life more abundant even now before death.  Our "hope" is not some wish that everything is going to turn out alright.  When we have God as our "hope" we know that He's got everything under control and that He will take care and love his children.
If you don't know God as your Savior, Lord, Master, and yes even as your friend, then you have no "Hope."
Hope is what anchors us and keeps us from being tossed about like a leaf on the stormy sea.
This kind of hope is something we can count on and we will not be let down.
This world give us a wishy-washy kind of "hope."  Things might turn out alright but they might not.
My prayer for you today is that you put your "hope" in Christ who will take care of you and not let you be dashed against the rocks when the storms of life come as they always do.

"Hope" spring eternal.

My ways vs God's ways

Have you even been sailing?  Its a lot of fun when there is a good wind to push you along.  You glide so smoothly across the water!  There's a lot to sailing a boat and the bigger the boat, the more you have to know.  Basically, though, you turn the rudder so the boat goes in the direction you want. There must be a breeze, however, to push against the sails so that no motor is needed most of the time. Sailing doesn't work out too well if you are trying to guide your boat against the direction of the wind.
To get the best results, you must position the sails so that the wind is pushing them from behind.  Then you can enjoy your cruise and don't have to work so hard.

In Psalm 119 we are reminded in various ways about God's word and what it can do for us to guide us.
In vs 59 and 60 it says "I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."  Here the psalmist (song writer) is saying that God's ways are better than his ways.  Many times we think we know which way to go, what we should be doing or what seems right. But God's ways are always infinitely better and bring joy and happiness and fulfillment.  Take time today to consider your ways.  Are they in line with what God would have you do?
If not change direction.  Set your sail to go with God's wind (Spirit).  You'll discover life gets much easier when you are empowered by God's Spirit!