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hope and celebrate recovery


 

I had the great opportunity to share a message about HOPE last evening in our Celebrate Recovery ministry.  It is always an honor to be part of such a great work.


Here is part of the lesson I shared, and there is so much truth and power in this message.  I pray you are challenged by this…


Romans 5:5  NASB 

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.


By embracing and being embraced by God and His love we will have HOPE.  It is through this admission of being powerlessness that we are able to believe and receive God’s power.  We come to understand that God wants to fill our lives with His love, His joy, and His presence. 


One of the parables in Luke 15 is the story of the prodigal son. Though the story is about a father’s love for his lost son; it really is a picture of God the Father loving you. God’s love is looking for you, no matter how lost you feel. 


Many people today believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs!  Hope is openness to change.  Sometimes we are afraid to change and may resist change because of our fear of the unknown or thinking we don’t deserve better.


Hope opens doors where despair closes them! Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what can’t be done. 


Philippians 1:6  TLB 

“I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.” 


Eternal life does not begin with death; it begins with faith!  You can’t find salvation through intellectual understanding, gifts of money, good works, or attending church.  Salvation comes only in trusting God and His hope for us.


Simply put, my life without Christ is a hopeless end; with Him it is an endless hope. 

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