Tag: hope
Gentleness and Respect
Scripture reading for November 11: 1 Peter 3
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3: 13-17
In our culture, gentleness and respect for others who mistreat us is almost unheard of. There is the desire for revenge and bad words and name-calling is often the response. This may escalate to acts of revenge, violence, or even murder. Early Christ followers were living in a similar pagan culture and Peter had advice for how believers should prepare themselves to respond.
First, Peter told those suffering, that if it was for righteousness, they would be blessed by God. His presence and peace would guard their hearts and minds. They were not to fear those causing the suffering, but understand that God was at work in their lives and would use those suffering unjustly to reflect the peace of Jesus and joy of salvation to them. If they asked the reason for their peace, they should be ready to share the Gospel with them in gentleness and reverence. It is God’s kindness that will lead them to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
A second reason is to have a good conscience towards God. When we patiently suffer and entrust ourselves to God, we bring shame and conviction on those who are reviling us and our good behavior. We also have God’s blessing of His peace and presence which God uses to spark repentance in those slandering us. If we were to respond like the world, our conscience would bring us under conviction and those slandering us would not see anything different than the culture they live in.
In examining your own actions and attitudes towards those who slander you, do you reflect this world view presented by Peter? What kind of blessings from God can come to those suffering injustice patiently? Has anyone ever asked you to share your hope and joy?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ’s example of suffering injustice with prayer and patience. Help me to patiently endure unjust suffering and respond by living in Your peace and joy. Increase my ability to wait for the opportunity to share the reason for my hope with gentleness and respect. Amen.
Our Hope is like an Anchor
Scripture reading for October 21: Hebrews 6
“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:17-20
God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19) God’s Word is Truth. (John 17:17) What He has said, He will do. God told Jeremiah that He was watching over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) God made the promises of His Word and His guarantee was Who He was. But God also swore by an oath to keep His Word. These two truths are by God’s design to give us strong encouragement and hope. Hope is the expectation of good things promised. When God promises and swears by Himself to bless His people, we simply say ‘amen’ and patiently wait for the promise to be fulfilled.
Biblical ‘hope’ is not a conditional thing like we use the word in our culture. Biblical hope is confidence inspired by faith in the One Who makes the promises. Our confidence is not in our ability to make the promise happen but that God will fulfill His promises fully and completely. The writer of Hebrews likens this ‘hope’ to the anchor of a ship. If the anchor is attached to something strong, the ship will stay where it is anchored. As believers, our anchor of biblical hope is attached to the very throne of God where Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is seated to hear our cries and prayers and answer. He is there on our behalf and is our “Guarantee” by His eternal priesthood of the order of Melchizedek.
Has anyone ever made you a promise that they did not keep? Do you find yourself doubting the promises God has made of forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life adoption into God’s family? Would you say that you have found the hope in Jesus spoken of that is an anchor for your soul?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me biblical hope as an anchor for my soul in these troubling times. Your Word anchors me in truth. I believe Your promises and await my inheritance. I cry out to Jesus Christ, my High Priest when temptations or troubles come threating my peace. Amen!
Gospel transformed lives!
Scripture reading for September 12: 1 Thessalonians 1
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-7
When people hear the Gospel message in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and His power of conviction, transformation takes place. Sinners become saints and brothers and sisters are now aware of God’s great love for them. Their lives begin to undergo transformation as God’s love received through repentance begins to flow in their hearts through the infilling Holy Spirit. Hopelessness is replaced by new vision of God’s gracious and glorious plans for His children. Growth in godliness is evident as the Word of God is proclaimed and taught and received by hungry hearts. Godly leaders model Christ Jesus for the new believers and help them rejoice in the transformed life.
This is what Paul was commending the church for in Thessalonica. He prayed for them to continue to grow and undergo change. He wrote to encourage them to focus on Jesus Christ and God’s Word and the promise of Christ’s return. In other words, Paul was affirming their paradigm shift in world views. Their radical change was an example and encouragement to Paul and his missions team. It also was an example to other believers and impacted a wide geographic area, spreading like ripples from a stone throne into water. When our world view is transformed by God’s Word, we also impact others in a widening circle.
Have you experienced this kind of a transformation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What aspects of your life changed when you received grace through repentance? Are you living out your world view in the joy of the Holy Spirit and setting examples for those in the culture and the church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending believers to share the Gospel message in power and with full conviction. Thank You for the transforming Holy Spirit Who lives in me and reveals the hope we have in Jesus Christ, now and when He returns! Use me to be an example to others in need of Jesus! Amen!
Our Hope, Joy, and Crown!
Scripture reading for December 2: 1st Thessalonians 1-5
“They tell us how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10) Every chapter of this short letter has a reference to Jesus Christ’s return. Believers are focused on the greatest event that can happen to them, the return of Jesus Christ! Jesus is alive and He rescues us from the coming wrath of God!
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” (1st Thessalonians 2:19) Paul was expecting a reward when Jesus came back. We should too! Every soul who has been saved through our ministry or giving to the Lord will bring joy and a crown and glory! This is the hope that we have as Christians!
“May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:13) Paul prayed for strength in these believers’ hearts so that they would be able to stand before the Lord when He does appear. It will be a glorious time for those who are ready. Purity and holiness are required to see the Lord and to stand before Him! May God strengthen our hearts today in preparation for that fast-approaching day!
“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will arise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) Jesus is personally coming back for those who have trusted in Him. The dead rise first to receive glorified bodies. Then we who are alive will be caught up and instantly changed. This will happen in an instant at the shout of the archangel and the trumpet call of God. It will catch many by surprise!
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1st Thessalonians 5:23-24) Thankfully, Paul prays again for the Thessalonians. (And us as well.) Thankfully, Jesus Christ is faithful and He will keep us blameless! What comfort! Amen!
The Hope of the ends of the earth!
Scripture reading for June 14: Psalms 60-66
King David was honest with his feelings as he prayed to the Lord. This series of psalms has a great emphasis on prayer and praise. David had many fears and many enemies who sought his life, and he shared his thoughts with the Lord. As ruler of God’s people he had the burden of many responsibilities. He asked God to hear his pleas. Sometimes he was confident that God did hear, and at other times seemed to wonder if God would hear him. (Psalm 60:1; Psalm 61:1; Psalm 63:1; Psalm 64:1) He was a lot like me in this respect! I am sure you never had these feelings!
The last two psalms in this set are praise songs to the God Who is the “Hope of the ends of the earth”! (Psalm 65:5) God’s heart has always been for all men to know and love Him. He desires close fellowship for every individual and will eventually have all nations worshiping Him! (Psalm 66:4) God is the Creator of the mountains and roaring seas. He has shown His wonders to all mankind through the daily provisions of man’s needs. He waters the land and brings forth grain in abundance for all peoples, just or unjust! God decorates the hills and valleys and brings joy to His people! (Psalm 65:13-14)
Psalm 66 ends with a declaration of praise to the Lord for answered prayer! David’s doubts and petitions have ended with God bringing an answer! God’s faithfulness and love have produced new praise and thanksgiving from David and from God’s people! He truly answers prayer and is worthy of praise!
Do you wrestle with God hearing and answering your prayers? Use thoughts from these psalms to declare your trust in God as ‘the Hope of all the ends of the earth!’
“”You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the Hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, . .” Psalm 65:5
Cause for rejoicing!
Scripture reading for May 30th: 1st Chronicles 22-25, Psalm 78, Romans 5
Romans 5: 1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produced endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Paul expounded on the results and effects of our justification by God through faith. There was much cause for believers to rejoice and be filled with joy. They now enjoyed peace with God in that God’s gift of righteousness now took the place of guilt and shame and fear of judgment. Instead of God’s wrath, we now have a hope of beholding the glory of God and eternally reflecting His glory. We can even rejoice in our sufferings which were promised by Jesus for all who believe. These sufferings produce endurance, the ability to wait on God’s help and plan. They also produce character–the image of Jesus in our lives as a result of purification from sins and living in hope of eternal life.
Psalm 78:5-7 “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; . .”
Prayer: Father God, I rejoice in Your gift of righteousness and the hope of eternal life. Thank You for peace with God and rest from the striving to keep the law. Form Your character in me and give me endurance in suffering. Help me to declare this joy and peace through faith to my children, grandchildren and their children until You come again and inhabit Your royal throne here on earth and forever and ever!
2nd Samuel 22:9-10 “‘Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My Name. He shall be My son, and I will be his Father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.'”
Strength in deadly trials
Scripture reading for September 16th: 2nd Corinthians 1
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 1:8-11 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God Who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians came after the church and Paul had experienced some difficult trials and persecution. Disciples of Jesus and ministers of His Gospel will suffer persecution. Jesus did not tell His disciples life would be easy. He told them that the student would not be above the teacher, as He would suffer and even be crucified, so they would also suffer. Paul and his ministry team suffered in Asia such that they felt they were going to die. But the suffering worked in their favor. They learned to rely on God Who even raises the dead. They also relied on the prayers of the saints to help them and God answered prayer and delivered them. They placed their hope in God and were not disappointed!
Matthew 24:9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake.”
Faith declaration and prayer: Father God, I have set my hope on You alone! Thank You for sustaining me through life’s trials and tests and allowing me to share Your great comfort with others. Help me to continue to trust in Your faithfulness and to pray for my brothers and sisters who are also going through fiery trials. I know we will not be disappointed!
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Hope and comfort through grace!
Scripture reading for June 22nd: 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17 “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our Gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
It is not our works that save us, but our good works and words are the fruit that come from a life of faith. Our very lives in Christ are fruit to God, as He sets us apart by the Holy Spirit after we believe the Truth of the Gospel. Through faith and grace we become heirs of eternal comfort and good hope of eternal life in God’s presence. Our only ‘work’ is to stand firm in the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and hold onto the traditions laid out in God’s Word. As we stand firm, we share by word and example the grace of God that saved us and call others to eternal hope and comfort in Christ Jesus the Lord. God’s great love for all sinners is demonstrated by His grace in Christ made available to all through the cross by faith.
Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–“
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us by Your eternal love and grace to a place of comfort and hope. Help me to stand firm in Your grace and hold to the traditions taught in Your word by faith. May Your love flow towards others through my life and testimony. I have good hope knowing all Your promises are true and will not be disappointed!
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Living in harmony!
Scripture reading for March 1st: Romans 15
Key Scriptures: Romans 15:3-7 “For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever was written former days was written for our instruction, that through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragements grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Life isn’t supposed to be about me or centered on my will. Jesus demonstrated His own life lived out to please God and serve others in perfect submission and obedience. This took patience and endurance and for Jesus, the ultimate in suffering and sacrifice. Paul encourages the Roman Christians to follow Jesus’ example and gain encouragement from Scripture of the blessed hope that is ours in Christ. Paul prays that the “God of endurance and encouragements” would empower and make the way for harmony and unity among God’s people, that they may glorify God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. He asked that they would speak and live the Gospel of God’s love with “one voice,” welcoming others in the unity of Christ’s body. As Christ suffered to bring us into God’s unified Body, we may also have to endure suffering for others.
Psalm 69:9 “For zeal for Your house has consumed Me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on Me.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word and Holy Spirit that gives me endurance and encouragement today. Help me to live in perfect harmony with my brothers and sisters in the church. Use me to build Your Church and welcome others into fellowship and harmony.
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.
Loved and chosen by God!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Proverbs 22-23, Psalm 117, 1st Thessalonians 1
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 1:2-7 “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father you work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in Word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.”
As Paul began his letter to the Thessalonian believers, he encouraged them by telling them of his prayers for them. Paul thanked God for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” in the Lord Jesus. They had received the Word of God in much affliction and had demonstrated their faith by works of repentance and true change. These believers became examples of Jesus Christ and the power of the Gospel among the growing church in Macedonia. God was glorified!
Psalm 117:2 “For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me today to do works of faith in the love of God, being steadfast in hope and full of joy as I obey Your Word. Use my example to encourage other believers and bring God glory.
Proverbs 23:19 “Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.”