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real and lasting hope

 


We started our Christmas series yesterday at The Community Fellowship, and one of the parts of it that I enjoy is the ADVENT thoughts.  Our first candle was the one that reminded us of HOPE.  


We need real and lasting hope.  It is not hope based on circumstances or feelings.  This real hope comes from God and is a gift when our faith grows stronger because we are connected to God and believe what He says.


Do you have this kind of HOPE?


1 Thessalonians 4:13  NLT  

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.


Problem of no hope is rampant.  But it does not have to be this way.  We can trust God and receive His gift of real and lasting hope!


Mathew 12:21  NLT

And His name will be the hope of the world.


Solution of hope is JESUS.  A person.  Reality.  The one who gets us through and promises us eternity.  Hope is readily available for each of us!  Just trust God.


1 Thessalonians 2:19  NLT  

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!


It all gives us hope when we trust us.  It literally is a reward and a gift.  But it is you that is a a gift to others.  When we live by faith and realize the truth of God we become a blessing and a gift to the people around us.  Be that…


1 Peter 1:13  NLT  

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.


A mindset is the way to have constant hope.  It is the mindset of God first.


Romans 15:13  NLT  

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.


Pray for hope.  Not just for situations but for life.  Pray for You to know and have God’s hope.  Pray for Your family to have the same hope and see examples of this hope.  Pray for Your community to have this hope.  Pray for your church to be a messenger of real hope.  Finally, pray for the world that needs the hope that only God offers.


The Christmas season is here.  May we share hope and examples of God’s real and lasting hope!

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