Hope Central

Hope is an anticipation of an expected desire. We hope for lots of things: weather, grades, etc. However, it is difficult to have much hope in things, such as, weather because we are not in control. The pattern may be leaning toward a certain pattern, but that could change in a matter of hours. Sometimes, our hope in salvation tends to be more like that of the weather. We may be confident in the technology that helps aid in the forecast given by the weather person, but there is still that small bit of doubt that things may not turn out like he says. Have you ever treated God that way? The Bible gives "forecasts" throughout but we're still a bit skeptical or have a small bit of doubt that says, "What if...it isn't like that?"

Peter tells us (I Peter 1:13) that we are to set our hope fully (perfectly) on the grace given to us through Jesus Christ. No room for any doubt. Get on board at Hope Central and enjoy the ride; fee supplied by grace. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. We are blessed and cursed with a memory. The blessing - all the good things. The curse - all the bad things. You enjoy remembering the good things that you've experienced. But you don't enjoy the bad things. The problem is, they're both memories. Though you will most likely never forget the things you've done in the past that are "wrong", if you are struggling with the concept that God has forgiven them (but you haven't forgiven yourself) ask God to help you. Ask Him to help you appreciate how God wipes that away from the record book, appreciate the present, and look forward to being used by God in the future!
   
2. Feel like just one of the more than 6 billion on this earth? Feel like if someone opened a paper and saw your picture in the obituary section there wouldn't be much of a response? To God, you're not just a number. He cares for each person He created. May this reminder help you lift your head up and smile. May it put an extra skip in your step. Go out and enjoy your life in Christ!
3. What did you hope to be when you were asked as a child? Fireman, ballerina, teacher, doctor, mommy, daddy, etc. We all have hopes. What are your hopes to "become" when you "grow up in Christ"? What are you expecting yourself to be like? How are you making the effort to get there? If you're "there" was it what you thought or do you need to go back to "school" to become more of what you'd hoped? Are the fruit of the Spirit growing on your branches or have you withered already? We can be "older" but not "grown up". May God bless you with continued opportunities to grow in Him.
   

The Hope Central may be big and crowded, but your train is still waiting on you. You don't need to worry about a departure time, just being one in the crowd, or not being able to pay. At Hope Central, Jesus has already paid the price and your ticket is stamped with "GRACE" on it. An easy way to remember that is "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" (Something I picked up from another source year's ago).

Enjoying the ride...