Hope: Defeating Daily Deception and Hatred

And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:12,13 NIV)

Sink or Swim

Quite the boat we find ourselves in today. We’re either going to sink or swim. Contrary to popular belief one’s own strength will not help them survive. What direction do we go- unless we have hope? Sadly, our leader who campaigned on hope fizzled. He may have even believed he could. Reality, Jesus Christ is the only true source of hope.

Upstream

Uniting Old Testament with New Testament, Paul directs us to the true source of hope. The root of Jesse is Jesus Christ. He will rule over nations and Gentiles will hope in him. We are Gentiles in need of a Savior. Those who refuse to swim upstream with Christ will suffer. The old saying- they’ll be up creek without a paddle.

Remembering

Think back to lives lost following Jim Jones, known as Jonestown Massacre- November 18, 1978. Lives lost April 19, 1993 in a compound near Waco, TX following David Koresh, a self-decribed messiah. Both men turned out to be false prophets- false teachers. In our day and time, tragic happenings need to be remembered keeping us from same path. Pear Harbor in 1941 and World Trade Towers in 2001- none of these tragedies ever need to be forgotten. From deception to hatred, we need hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope in one greater as we become less.

Hope

Open our eyes Lord, awake the slumbering, stir your children to speak truth- not to be indifferent. To speak truth, we have to know truth. Maybe the problem is not only becoming less- we have high percentages in every church not reading their Bibles. The red flag is out. Danger in days ahead. Those who connect with the God of hope will find joy and peace as we trust Him. Not just getting by- we’re talking an overflowing hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, this is something we move forward on. Forward Friday! Take all past history keeping us aware yet, move forward overflowing with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sink or Swim?

Be encouraged!