Faith and Hope

[He] was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God (1 Peter 1:20b-21).

When counselors encourage their clients to "have faith and hope," a reasonable response might be, "Faith in what? Hope in what?" For sure, encouraging a discouraged person to have a positive attitude and a bright outlook can be helpful. But in truth, faith and hope are only as good as their object. Which would be wiser when faced with walking across a frozen pond: great faith is most important, weak faith in a thick sheet of ice would be better and safer. 

Peter says that God demonstrated, through Christ's resurrection and glorification, that our faith and hope should be in God. The Resurrection is history's greatest demonstration that life on earth, we can depend certainty for the end of life on earth, we can spend on it to keep faith and hope alive until we get there. Develop your faith and hope in God by renewing your mind with His "exceedingly great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4).

The begining of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. ~George Muller

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Reality of Purpose

But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth (Exodus 9:16).

The Lord told Pharaoh, "For this purpose I have raised you, that I may show My power in you." If God had a purpose for a pagan king, don't you think He has a wonderful purpose for you? Whatever your age or stage in life, it's important to seek and embrace God's plan.

Christians believe in a reality of purpose.

Evolutionists, atheists, and secularists do not. They may embrace short-term fulfillment, but without an eternal Creator there's no ultimate purpose in life and no hope. We can't live that way. Studies have shown that having purpose and meaning in life benefit both the young and old. We all need purpose!

Praise God, He has something meaningful for you to do today! This year! Seek it out, and let God demonstrate His power in your actions-large and small. #turningpoint

Before we can reliably know and understand God's will, we must know God Himself.

~Pastor Gregg Matte, Finding God's Will

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Pray with our eyes on God

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge (Proverbs 14:26). 

As children grow into adulthood, their decision-making power increases. Although it starts as early as two years old when a child realizes what he wants and screams to demand it. But when a child is two, the parents have both the physical and mental upper hand and can begin the process of training their child to ask politely and take "no" as an acceptable answer. When it comes to grown-ups, not just to family, we can often feel that our hands are tied, especially when a loved one is making poor decisions. Even when the decisions are not devastating or far-reaching, it is difficult to swallow when a person chooses either a path we disagree with or one that is unsound. 

To counter the weight of worry that would settle over us are prayers that remind us that God cares deeply and is at work, even behind the scenes. Our prayers can refocus our attention and help us release the person to God. Praying Scripture over our loved ones when we cannot find the words and remembering God's power can sustain and carry us when our resources are exhausted and we are unsure of the future. 

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. ~Oswald Chambers

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