OUR LIVING HOPE

Our Living Hope
Webster's dictionary​ defines hope as: “to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.” Hope is a belief or expectation that something will happen. If it doesn’t, we may experience discouragement, depression, or even despair. In this world of constant challenge and despair, how can one remain hopeful? First, we must remember the reason for our confidence: our relationship with Jesus! As redeemed believers, we are reborn into a living hope in Jesus’ resurrection victory. In Jesus, we are new creations, no longer prisoners to this world of sin and death. With the promised Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we are co-heirs with our living Savior and our true eternal home is in heaven with Him.
Second, we must spend time in God’s Holy Word! Romans 15:4 says the Bible was written to give us encouragement and hope. When the world presses in on you and dims your hope, the Psalms are a good place to turn. The Psalms, express the writers’ feelings and can provide us comfort and hope. Finally, always remember and rely on the Lord’s faithfulness. Trusting in God will always turn out for our good, always! Our God has given us a living hope in Jesus and He also gives us grace for each day of our journey. As the redeemed, we shouldn’t react to our trials as the world does. Instead, we are to live by faith in the “confidence in what we hope for” (Heb. 11:1). Friends, when this fallen world or our circumstances begin to overwhelm us, focus on Jesus. Look for encouragement in God’s word and remember God’s promises to us in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3-8). Jesus promised to be with us to the   end of the ages, for He alone is our living, eternal hope!
Grace and peace always,
Fr. Greg+

---