Maybe you've lost a job, feel a dream is gone,maybe your struggle with addiction has gotten the best of you recently, maybe you have been going through great suffering. Maybe something or someone dear to you has been lost, I have great news my friends your Hope is not Gone. As John Bencheck spoke a few sermons back your HOPE lies in an all powerful God who was resurrected. Why is that so powerful because what is more painful and seems so much out of control than death. When Jesus died and ROSE again he overcame death. Death the very thing that the enemy thought would take the hope of many generations out. Maybe you haven't recently faced death in the face but to God your pain and concern is just as important.
Suffering, loneliness, physical pain, despair. Yes those are painful things that make us want to loose hope. That is why Jesus went through all of that on the cross and he did that so he would know your pain temptation and suffering. But what if he had stayed on the cross then my friend we would not have hope. But he did not He arose from the grave.
How to we begin to loose hope? When we start looking away from the cross and the work that was done there. When we start to look at the things that we think may be Gods plan for our lives. When we start to believe that our timetable is better than Gods? When we believe that our sin is greater than his grace and mercy? When we start to drift away from him and start to get busy with other things? When we start to drift back in our shame?
Not sure this may be you? Have you lost your joy? Have your lost your ability to praise? Well I have good news my friend Hope is not lost? Because not matter what on that third day Jesus rose again.
So where can we turn when our pain is so great that we feel that no one understands. When we feel isolated beyond the point of return. When we feel God is so far away.
We must run to each other, we must run to the cross, we must run to Jesus. We must pray even when we feel no one is listening, because I assure you God is listening. We must also run to his word. We often forget that the written word of God has power.
I want to tell you recently I have been guilty of all of the above. A few days ago God impressed upon me to write this blog I was disobedient. Maybe its just for me to remind me but when I look around and see all that has been happening in our church family I cant help believe God maybe wants this for you.
I had recently lost hope in a dream that I have always had since a teenager. I began to doubt God, to doubt my sobriety, doubt Gods plan for my life. As I began to watch folks around me from past and present give up. I began to think whats back there for me. As I began to ponder these thoughts old ways of filling my voids of loneliness and pain started to look enticing. Like Lots wife in the bible I started to look back to what i have been delivered from.
Yet Gods mercy and grace kept pulling me home. My friend it may not feel like it but he is there. He is praying for you. In John 17:20 Jesus says "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.
Before Jesus was arrested he was praying for you.
So I ask you my friend what is it today that has you thinking there is no hope?
Do you feel your temptations are so great that you cannot go forward. Let me remind
you what Hebrews 4: 15 says "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are yet was without sin. let us then approach that throne of grace with CONFIDENCE so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Do you feel your shame has cause you to loose all hope?
Remember David, he struggled with sexual sin, murdered, lied and the bible tells us he was a man after Gods heart. So in the midst of your pain and struggle remember your course if fixed. The bible tells us that Psalms 25:3 says that "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame."
Is it your fear that has caused you to loose Hope?
Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Psalms 46:7 The LORD almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Is it your loneliness or being alone in this struggle that has you feeling hopeless?
Isaiah 43 I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the rivers, they will NOT sweep over you. When you walk through fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord; your God.
Isaiah 43:4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you.
Maybe the way you have planned life has not turned out the way you thought. Take heart Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. So take heart he has a purpose which is better than a plan.
Are you afraid Psalms: 56 vs 3 When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise; I will not be afraid.
Maybe your strength is gone
Revelation 3:8 See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut, I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Maybe your just not sure what your hope was where its gone and how to get it back, maybe you feel your standing still or just sliding backwards. Take heart.
Romans 8:25-26
But if we hope for what we do not have we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. we do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." So groan and weep on my friend you are being heard.
So my friends do not loose hope. Because God is near.
1 Peter 5:8-10
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, WILL HIMSELF RESTORE YOU AND MAKE YOU STRONG, FIRM AND STEADFAST.
Fear not my friends. Hope is never gone, lost, or forsaken. his peace and plans will prevail.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.' declares the Lord.
Run to him, Run to his people, Run to his house, and Run to his WORD?
In Christ Alone
I place my trust
And find my Glory in the power of the Cross
In every victory, let it be said me
My source of strength, My source of Hope
Is CHRIST ALONE!!!!!
Rich
Pastoral Apprentice
Restoration
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