Feeling of Expectation

I want to thank you for visiting today.

It is my constant prayer to encourage and strengthen the Body of Christ. With the broader desire to reach those who are struggling with faith. Revealing Jesus in the same manner that the Apostles did from Acts forward.  “Telling the story of the birth, life, death, resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus.”

Today I want to share some thoughts on hope. Hope is defined today as, “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.”

Pastor’s deal almost daily with people who are struggling with life and the circumstances and tragedies that can quickly overwhelm a person. Often these things create a battle against the hope we have in Jesus and the Gospel. Questions arise. Why is this happening? How do I deal with this?

Real questions that need real answers. As Christians we have placed our hope in Christ. It is Living Hope. Shared in so many ways by the Lord Himself as recorded in the Gospels.

Matthew shared these passages from the prophet Isaiah.

Matthew 12:18-21 NASB

¹⁸ “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
¹⁹ “He will not quarrel, nor cry out; Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
²⁰ “A battered reed He will not break off, And a smoldering wick He will not put out, Until He leads justice to victory.
²¹ “And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”

The word hope in the passage comes from the Greek word “elpizo.” It means to hope, hopefully, to trust in.

In the Book of Acts Peter quoted from Psalms 16.

Acts 2:25-27 NASB

²⁵ For David says of Him,‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
²⁶ ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;
²⁷ Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

The word hope in this passage comes from the Greek word, “elpis.” It means, expectation of good, on hope, in hope, having hope.

Throughout our lives we will be challenged with life events. Some we will see coming and some will be completely unexpected. This is life. It is also why Jesus came as He did. To experience the things that we experience. This is why the words of the Gospel bring hope. Then Hope becomes faith. Faith strengthens the love we have for Him and our world. 

The very one we place our hope in understands our pain. Let hope move you forward in 2017. Stand fast, believing in your dreams. Trusting in His Word.

Hope Lives in the story of Jesus. Tell it everywhere you go.