Working in medical offices and ministry to the poor has taught me that hopeless people are careless people. Whenever you can show anyone one grain of hope they will tighten up the disciplines of their lives and live more cautiously. As we begin this New Year I want to encourage all Christians to realize we have true hope for anyone who can hear "The Word of God."
I haven't fallen into hopelessness; but I have known times of feeling overwhelmed and without any sure answers. Thank God, loving saints were nearby to squelch my "Who cares...including me?"
Jesus' Messianic Name: The Hope of Israel shows us we are never without hope. In Jeremiah 14:8 "Thou Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress. Why art Thou like a stranger in the land Or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night?" (Jer 14:8)
I'm studying Ephesians 2 for an undetermined amount of time (I have so many questions in this one chapter I don't know if I'll live long enough to dig all the gold out of this mine) and in the 4th -6th verses I see a truth that gives me hope always:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Hope is defined as a desire for some future good with the expectation of obtaining it.
Hope is confident expectancy.
Hope is the looking forward to something with some reason for confidence respecting fulfillment.
If there is no hope, all is lost. Without hope there is nothing.
Hopeless is surely one of the most dreadful words in the English language.
My goal today is to fire up your hope in Christ. I want to hear from you on how will you encourage others if these challenges days send them into hopelessness?
6 comments:
Hopelessness--I see it around me everyday--especially at my workplace since I, too, work in the medical field. Every day more and more people are coming in who have lost their jobs, their insurance benefits have changed to a lesser coverage and they don't have the money to pay the difference, diagnosed with something that leaves them feeling their is no hope.
Working, as I do, for a large corporation, I'm not allowed to mention any type of Christian or another other beliefs. But, I do hope that my compassion, empathy and caring goes a long way to lift the hopelessness of others.
Ephesians--I'll send you an e-mail about this.
Beth
Beth,
Your work situation is what I see as the platform for Holy Spirit to operate supernaturally as saints are committed totally to the all of God.
I believe our love of Christ and for Him communicates life to those around us without a word. David at RedLetter Believers Blog does a great job of discussing the ways our secular work and other activities are critical parts of our call in the Kingdom of God.
Yes, you picked up on what I am sensing as I overhear conversations: people are losing hope. If ever there was a time for witnessing for Christ it is now!!!
Kay Martin, host of Thrive Christians
I have a problem of wanting to solve everything for everyone. If someone feels the hopelessness of a situation, I want to jump right in and do whatever I can to help fix it. It's taken a long time to realize that sometimes, I need to just let them know that Jesus is the solution, and even if I helped them at that moment - He will be able to help them at EVERY moment. Thank you for reminding me of this.
I am no way starting this New Year with Hopelessness! I am ready for God to start showing up in all of our lives, families and churches! We really need to grasp the power of having FAITH! This was part of the sermon this morning. For God to really move in ways we want Him to we need to pray and be sold out in faith to our God! I know it doesn't take away the pains of life, but I know God wants all of us! Let us all pray that He would indeed strengthen us as we live to serve Him. Blessigs to you!
Great post. It just really depends on the situation. I really try to listen to them and ask God what it is they need from Him. Then whatever He impresses I try to do. Anything that will lead them closer to Christ.
Great stuff sweet one!
Much love,
Angela
Kay - your end question is biblical...
1 Peter 3:15
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"
Are we always prepared. I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide my words.
Post a Comment