PRAYER PRACTICE
DAILY READING
DEVOTION / REFLECTION
Our Hope is the Difference
by Nancy Gleeson
Most everyone agrees that Jesus was a man who walked this earth. Believing only this, everyone is at the same starting point, separated from God by sin. But there can be boasting in the hope of the glory of God for those of us who understand that it was, “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly”!
This hope makes all the difference. It’s safe to say most every person wants to end up in Heaven, but can just anyone expect to go to Heaven? As Christians, we are certain of Heaven because of our faith in Jesus Christ, who reconciled us to God, the Father. You see, hope is simply desire and expectation. But our hope is based on something real.
Hope = DESIRE + EXPECTATION =
The blood of the Lamb
bringing eternal glory to the full salvation of God!
Glory is now part of our suffering because suffering has something to do with hope. Suffering produces perseverance; from perseverance we build character, (character being that stuff that shows when we are tested, like when we're suffering. So round and round we go...) From these three things, our suffering, perseverance, and character THERE IS HOPE. And it is a hope that is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, given to us because of Jesus.
But that’s not all! It was God who solved that problem of sin for us. It was God's wrath we deserved because we were God’s enemies, but He reconciled us to Him through the death of His Son. "How much more shall we be saved from his wrath through him!"
Just as sin and death came to all of us because of one man, God sent the only One, Christ Jesus, to wash away our sin. The grace of Christ is extensive and we are set free! Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father,
You are a God of mercy and grace. I am forever amazed that you cared enough to save my soul from the sin and destruction in my life. With Jesus, I am made new and seek to do your will. I find comfort and safety under your wings and love to sing your praises. Please use me to bring others to you and to show them your endless blessings. Amen.
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