Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 CHRIST WHO GIVES HOPEFUL VISION

 Col 1:1-14
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you." Colossians 1: 3-5

A Christian’s hope isn’t an escape or wishful thinking, but something that a Christian is meant to do. We have hope in eternal life, which means that we can face today with renewed vigor and strength. The future can be a scary thing, with so many uncertainties for who knows what tomorrow might bring.
When we have faith in Christ, however, we have hope not only in this life but in the next. The future, while uncertain, can be entrusted to God, and He will help us through.
1 Peter 1:3-5 says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”.Jesus is our hope for living. He came, and He is coming again to provide people who hope in Him with abundant, joy-filled, eternal life and peace. Our hope is that after we have lived this life for Jesus, we will be like Him and we will be with Him eternally. That’s what we live for. This requires that we don’t have our focus on things of the earth, but that we have our eyes set in the heavenly places.

The Holy Spirit seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). In other words, the Spirit’s presence in our hearts guarantees our ultimate salvation. Though we are in this world, we are not of it (John 17:16). God will continue to work in us until He is finished perfecting us (see Philippians 1:6). This forward-looking guarantee of perfection is what is meant by “Christ in you, the hope of glory".

How can we be hopeful in life, when surrounded by challenges, stress, disappointments, and fears? Hebrews 12:2 says We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” In everything Jesus said and did, He displayed the nature and character of God the Father. Thus it was written of Him - '  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.'  John 1:14 Jesus was and is the only one who could successfully live this type of life. Jesus gave us Himself because we do not have what it takes to live the Christian life. It takes discipline for us to keep our eyes on Jesus, especially in the midst of a personal storm, but He is the secret of our peace. We have to deliberately stop our negative thoughts and choose to focus on the Scripture, be thankful and speak the truth to ourselves.

Proverbs 23:18 says "Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off".Even though we are to have hope in the future God has for us, there are going to be times when we have suffering and pain in our lives.  God tells us that suffering helps produce in us perseverance and character, which will lead to hope. So while we’re in the midst of suffering, we should look to Him, not only to give us strength but to give us patience and the ability to endure. When in this life we face trials, tribulations, sickness, and pain, God is with us. He helps us to renew our strength. He heals our wounds, physical, emotional, and spiritual. He tells us to not let our hearts be troubled and to not be afraid.  He will meet our needs, both in sickness and in healing.

Prayer

 Lord Jesus, help me to love You and trust You far more than I do now. Thank You that I am not without hope, because you are my Savior, Redeemer, and Rescuer. Amen.

                                  Thought for the Day

“For the believer, there is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.” -Billy Graham

Anila Eapen

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