I just listened to a great sermon on HOPE (James River: John Lindell). John started off by saying the hope is one of the most underrated, unappreciated and misunderstood aspects of evangelical Christianity. So often we say that we "hope" something will happen and a good Christian friend will discredit our hope by telling us that if we just had "faith" then it would happen. We tend to make hope second class to faith. However, John said, that without hope we have nothing to put our faith in.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. . . ." Believing that God is who He said He is. . .that is what we hope for. Knowing that THE BEST IS YET TO COME is what we hope for!
Where do we get our hope? From God! From Scripture! God not only wants to give us hope (Psalms 62:5 & Jeremiah 29:11), but He wants us to abound in hope (Romans 15:13), He wants us to be overflowing the the hope that He gives to us! So often, though, we put our hope in ourselves and in other people and we become deflated because people will let us down. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a little peptalk and remind ourselves that it is time to HOPE! HOPE BRINGS JOY (Proverbs 10:28).
I know so often in life I become hopeless and deflated. I know that I look to people to bring me happiness. I know that I often think that the best has already been. I think that if I just get this boy home then I'll be happy. I put my hope in my timing of this adoption. I put my hope in what happiness Andy can bring me or what joys my kids can bring me. Then I get let down. I need to know and believe that THE BEST IS YET TO COME! God's best is yet to come! Not only does God have an amazing plan for my life. . .the hope for which God has called me to be. . .but God is truly who He says He is and the best is yet to come--in eternity when we are praising the Lord together in His very presence.
I really enjoyed that sermon and I just wanted to share it with you. If you are like me and are looking for a great home church, I suggest that you listen to Pastor John's sermons online. . .it is like being in seminary! His messages are powerful and honest and he isn't afraid to convict you. He does not sugar-coat the scripture! Go to www.jamesriver.org and you can listen to all of his sermons. Or you can download them weekly from iTunes! Enjoy!
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. . . ." Believing that God is who He said He is. . .that is what we hope for. Knowing that THE BEST IS YET TO COME is what we hope for!
Where do we get our hope? From God! From Scripture! God not only wants to give us hope (Psalms 62:5 & Jeremiah 29:11), but He wants us to abound in hope (Romans 15:13), He wants us to be overflowing the the hope that He gives to us! So often, though, we put our hope in ourselves and in other people and we become deflated because people will let us down. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a little peptalk and remind ourselves that it is time to HOPE! HOPE BRINGS JOY (Proverbs 10:28).
I know so often in life I become hopeless and deflated. I know that I look to people to bring me happiness. I know that I often think that the best has already been. I think that if I just get this boy home then I'll be happy. I put my hope in my timing of this adoption. I put my hope in what happiness Andy can bring me or what joys my kids can bring me. Then I get let down. I need to know and believe that THE BEST IS YET TO COME! God's best is yet to come! Not only does God have an amazing plan for my life. . .the hope for which God has called me to be. . .but God is truly who He says He is and the best is yet to come--in eternity when we are praising the Lord together in His very presence.
I really enjoyed that sermon and I just wanted to share it with you. If you are like me and are looking for a great home church, I suggest that you listen to Pastor John's sermons online. . .it is like being in seminary! His messages are powerful and honest and he isn't afraid to convict you. He does not sugar-coat the scripture! Go to www.jamesriver.org and you can listen to all of his sermons. Or you can download them weekly from iTunes! Enjoy!
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
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xoxo