What Gives You Hope?

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

We live in a hopeless world full of turmoil, violence, greed, among other things. So what gives you hope in this world? Regardless what your faith or beliefs are, everyone has to come to the conclusion that we all face the greatest enemy, which is death. So what is your solution for death? How are you preparing yourself for the future?

Eventually we all need to come to the conclusion that we need a savior, and that savior is Jesus Christ. But to truly understand why we need a savior , we must first understand why there is death. Whether you believe it or not we are all descendants of Adam (Genesis 5:3) , and have inherited his death due to the penalty of sin . Because the wages of sin equal death. (Romans 6:23)

But of God is a merciful God and has sent his only begotten Son, Jesus, to take the penalty for our sin, so we may live forever.(John 3:16) So because of Jesus we have hope, because he has conquered death and sin. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

So I ask again, what gives you hope? What brings you reassurance that you will live forever? There is one assurance and its Jesus Christ, the only way to eternal life. (John 14:6) Don’t squander your life in false hope, why not put your faith in the God that created you to be his child. (Romans 8:15)

Who is eligible to receive Jesus as there Lord and Savior? Everyone, God has said Anyone who calls upon Jesus shall be saved. Are you saved today? Would you like the hope of Jesus Christ? If you ready say this prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please forgive me for my sins, I confess Jesus is my Lord and Savior

Please pour your Holy Spirit upon me in Jesus Name Amen

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:7

Are you living for the world or living for God? Seems like a simple question but its important to know the difference.  The definition of Woe means great sorrow, misery, or distress. So when Jesus says “Woe to the world” he’s saying the world is condemned because of its sins.

That’s why it’s important we don’t follow the ways of the world such as greed, lust, envy, hatred, intoxication, ect these ways will only lead to your destruction. The good news is God has an answer to the sins of the world, and his name is Jesus

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Matthew 18:8

Are there things in your life that are causing you to stumble in your spiritual life with God? If so cut them out, its better to suffer a little now than eternally. For example, are you addicted to pornography or drugs? Even though it seems hard you must cut these things out of your life that cause you to stumble. If you need help, trust in Jesus , who can break every chain

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18:9

Again Jesus emphasizes cutting out the things it our life that makes us unholy. Will it be easy? No because we are all tempted by the flesh, but we must rely of the Holy Spirit to empower to resist temptation. So if they are things in your life that are causing you to sin, cut them out now! Trust in God who will supply all your needs in Jesus Name Amen

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. Mark 4:37

Life is easy when there are no storms. But how do you react when a huge storm hits your life? Who do you turn to? Some will say the don’t need anyone, but there always comes a time when a storm is greater than you.

The disciples were caught in a great storm, they all thought they were going to die. They were in full panic mode, where was there faith?

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38

During this storm, Jesus was asleep on the same boat as the disciples. They got mad at Jesus and said “are you not going to save us?” Do we find ourselves doing the same thing? We all love Jesus until the storm hits our life. Then we yell at God because we don’t like the situation were in.

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

Jesus quickly rebuked the storm and a great calm came. Just like that when we think this storm will overtake us, in one second God can fix it. Do we truly have faith that God is in control?

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40

Jesus wanted to know why the disciples were so afraid? Could it be the disciples didn’t truly have the faith to believe Jesus would save them? Fear is a natural human reaction, but we need to develop the faith strong enough to trust God in the storm.

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:41

Jesus displayed his awesome power, the same power that rose him from the dead. So next time your in the storm, will trust in Jesus to save you? Don’t allow fear to overtake you, allow faith to comfort you in Jesus Name Amen

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6

We all want to take care of our families and friends, many of us say if I won the lottery I would take care of everyone. But what if I told you today, you could do just that? See in the flesh we look to money to give us power and be our provider. But when we live in the Spirit we trust in God.

If you had unlimited amounts of wealth wouldn’t you be sharing it immediately? Of course you would, then why don’t you share the love of God through Jesus Christ? The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is living inside of us!

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Acts 3:7

Notice that the man’s healing didn’t come till after he activated his faith and stood up. Remember this man had been crippled so for him to try and walk would take a great deal of courage. The same is for us, we can’t expect a miracle to happen unless we are willing to Trust in God

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. Acts 3:8

How do we react after we receive Gods blessing? Do we just take it for granted or do we tell everyone? We need to be more like this man and praise The Lord! God wants to show his glory through our miracles.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Mathew 4:4

Jesus taught us this principle while being tempted by Satain in the desert. We cant live by food and money alone. Yes they might bring us some temporary relief but eventually our soul desires more. There is only one way to eternal life and that is Jesus Christ, trust in God and let everyone know the good news Amen

For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

What is God’s name? Most would say Jehovah or Yahweh. But don’t you think God would want to be called Father?  My 2-year-old has a habit of calling me by my first name, I know he does this because its funny but it partly upsets me because I want to be called his Father. I feel a great sense of pride to be my children’s Father and it pleases me when they call me Daddy.

This is how I think God feels about us, if we truly are Children of God, then shouldn’t we be addressing God as our Father and not Jehovah? When you talk to your Earthly Father do you address him by his first name or Dad?

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will . Mark 14:36

When Jesus was praying to God at his darkest moment, he addressed him as “Abba Father”. In fact Jesus always called God his Father. Jesus never addressed or identified Gods name as Jehovah or Yahweh. So if we truly want a personal relationship with God, shouldn’t we be addressing him as Father also?

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

Because we are Children of God, the Holy Spirit has put in our hearts call God our Father. What is your heart saying today? Do you wish to have that Father/Child relationship with your creator? Just as Jesus taught us to pray, Our Father who are in Heaven, In Jesus Name Amen