What is hope? Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
The song “In Christ Alone” by Stuart Townend is one of my favorites. The song speaks to me and makes me think about my relationship with Christ. However, most importantly, the song lifts me up on a rough day and reminds me to place my hope and trust in the Lord’s almighty hands. The song starts “In Christ alone my hope is found.” What does this mean? To me, it means that I rely on nothing else but God’s plan for my life. No matter how great things are going in my life, or how bad things may be going. No matter if I have my dream job, or I do not have a job at all. Whether I’m healthy as can be, or I’m sick- In Christ alone, my hope is found. To a Christian, hope should be a confident assurance when things may not seem clear. Too often, people (including Christians) place our hope in other things. We place our hope in our plans over God’s plans. Many have heard the saying that sometimes when God hears our plans He just laughs. Our hope should rest in the One that gives us life, breath, peace, and so much more. At times, we, as human, may put out hopes in the wrong things. We may place our hope in some of the worldly things. Or we may place all of our hope into a friend or family member. Yet, we have a Father who we can place all our hope in and know that he makes all things work for our good. 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. Jeremiah 29:11 The Lord always has our best interest in mind. He has plans for us to succeed and to prosper. The Lord’s definition of success may not be the definition of success to a friend or co-worker. However, we are called to live lives pleasing to Christ and not to our fellow man. When we place our hope in Christ, all our hope in Christ, there is no way we can lose. He has the plans to give a great hope and a great future. Pray to him without ceasing and without any inch of doubt. As we pray, we should turn over every situation to him- the situations that are not going well in our life and the ones that we think are perfect. Place every situation in his hands and let it rest there. Place your hope, faith, trust, and love in his hands. Get the weight off of your shoulders. As you place you hope in God’s hands, remember you are not leaving it in the hands of an average person- you place them in the hands of the One True King. Place your hope in the One who fed thousands with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, the one who can make the blind see, the one who can make the lame walk, and so much more. Place all your hope in He who has never failed and never will fail. As you place your hope in Christ, encourage others to do the same. Let them know the message of a Savior who will never leave them behind, nor fade away. Let others know that in Christ alone your hope is found. The final stanza of “In Christ Alone” says, 'Until he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand.' Stand in the power of Christ through the best of times and the worst of times. He will guide you in the right direction each and every step of the way. The first step is placing all your hope in Him. Nicholas Buford
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In Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, there is a scene where the main character Charlie, tells his bed-ridden grandfather Joe, that he bought a chocolate bar with THE golden ticket. There were only 5 golden tickets available for 5 children and a guest into the amazing, unbelievable factory of candy and chocolate. Charlie came home to tell Grandpa Joe about the ticket and invite him as his ‘plus 1’. Grandpa Joe, who had not walked in 20 years, asked for help out of the bed, grabbed a cane, and began to dance and sing around the room! He was beyond excited about the golden ticket and the incredible and magical experience that he and Charlie were about to share together. Grandpa Joe had a hope that he hadn’t had in years. The promise of entrance into the chocolate factory with Charlie caused him to get out of bed with excitement. Having a guaranteed hope causes movement toward things you have not seen. Like Grandpa Joe, when you hear of good news that you can experience or entrance and favor that is promised to you, your response should be with singing, excitement, and gratitude. As a believer, you have a Hope far greater than a golden ticket. Believers have a solid hope in a risen Savior, Jesus Christ. When your confidence is in Jesus, you are loved and secured. In Romans 8:35-39, Paul reminds the believers in Rome that nothing can separate them from the love of God. Nothing that they can do. Nothing that can be done around them. Absolutely, positively nothing can separate them from the love of God. What is the love of God that believers can never be separated from? That love physically looks like Jesus. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus (John 3:16). Yep, because God loved us SO much- He gave Jesus. Nothing can change or pull you apart from God’s love. Have hope in God’s unshakable love. Rest in that hope. Jesus became sin and took on the penalty of sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:9). You are safe from your sin! Jesus paid the price for every sin we have done, will do, or can think about doing. Your sin can never overtake you when you are anchored in Jesus. With an Almighty Savior as your hope, your response should be like Grandpa Joe. There should be a pep in your step, expectation in your heart, and an excitement in your tone that expresses your hope. When your hope is in Jesus, you are confident of the good work that He began will be completed (Philippians 1:6). You are expectant of His promise to never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:6). You have a peace beyond understanding when your hope is in Christ (Philippians 4:7). In a world filled with so many uncertainties, suspicions, and fears-- choose hope. Don’t choose a hope in money, your education, your material things, or even a spouse (or lack thereof). Hope only in a risen Jesus. When your confidence is in Jesus alone, nothing in this world can shake (Psalms 62:6) or break you (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Know that you are secured and you are loved. I encourage you to choose Hope. Rasheda Likely Always Praying Blogger We look around in today's world and are constantly bombarded with death, tragedy and misfortune. For many of us, all the doom and gloom has become normal. Throughout the Bible, we encounter stories and principles that remind of why we should choose hope. This week, join the AP team as we mediate on hope scriptures. The choice is ours, and we are taking charge of our hope!
Monday 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. Jeremiah 29:11 Tuesday Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who is promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 Wednesday LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. Psalm 10:17 Thursday Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45 Friday Find rest, O my soul, in god alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 Saturday For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 Sunday May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 By definition, hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. What are you hoping for? Good grades? A better job? A fancy car? A sexy spouse? Too often we focus on our dreams that we lose focus on life. How often do you hope that God brings someone in need across your path to help? Or hope that you're prepared for tests and trials ahead of time? Recently, I endured a season where all I hoped for was an escape from my problems. I wanted out. I wanted to be happy, free, and in control of my life. Well, I did not get what I wanted. Instead, I got a wake-up call - my hope must be in Christ. All of it. Yes, you hear that all the time, but it is true! Because my hope was not anchored in the Lord I became overwhelmed and frustrated with my plans not working out. Let's go back a few years, where my hope was firmly in Christ. I was running for elected office in my hometown, working and studying for the LSAT. I decided to save money, well, I really did not have the money to pay for a LSAT class. I was living paycheck-to-paycheck at that time. So, I taught myself. I was studying and studying yet still seemed to come up short. I wanted a near perfect score. I took the LSAT. And, my hope of getting a 160 did not happen. I was crushed. I was confused. All I knew to do was to cry and keep trusting in the Lord. Long story short, I was accepted into law school, graduated and now I am a licensed attorney in Florida. The differences in my hope dramatically impacted my feelings, emotions and outlook. I ask, Where is your hope? Are you fully trusting in God? Hope does not guarantee your desired outcome. Believe me! Hope doesn't ease the pain of rejection, either. Yet, hope firmly anchored in Christ can ensure you withstand the tough storms, failures, disappointments, betrayals, etc. Hope firmly anchored in Christ provides a peace that is unexplainable, yet rewarding! I understand, you may have severe financial troubles, an indigestible doctor's report, a child that is driving you crazy, a job that leaves you with more grey hair or maybe you're like me and you feel stuck in your current spot. No matter what you're facing- have your hope anchored in Christ. He is the source of the peace, strength, joy, comfort, and wisdom you need to survive the storm. Your hope is your anchor! Chelsi Founder, Always Praying Always Praying is very excited to announce the addition of two new bloggers, Rasheda Likely and Nicholas Buford!! On a monthly basis, expect dynamic and thought-provoking blogs from each of them. They both are young adults who have dedicated their lives to serving Jesus and sharing His message with the world around them. Join me in welcoming Rasheda and Nicholas to the AP team! Rasheda Likely is a former religious person that has been radically transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. She currently fellowships with the Image Church in Jacksonville, FL, where she is an active member of the worship team and weekly discipleship groups. She also writes for the nationally syndicated urban Christian radio show, The Wade-O Radio Show. Her excitement for the gospel, discipleship, and blogging create an exceptional opportunity to affix relatable and relevant content with God's truth. Jesus has radically transformed her life, and Rasheda is delighted to share His love with you! Rom. 8:31-39 Follow her on Twitter: @Shedabeda Nicholas Buford was born and raised in Cordele, GA. He currently attends Valdosta State University; where he is working to receive a degree in Political Science. In addition to being a full time student, Nicholas serves as the Vice President of the student body at VSU. After graduating from VSU, Buford plans to attend law school. In February 2014, Nicholas Buford was hired as an administrative assistant by Property Tax Eagle, a prominent property tax firm that fights for low-income housing residents across the Southeastern United States. Nicholas has loved politics ever since the eighth grade. He has serves in numerous class elective offices and leadership positions. He works in numerous capacities for different political campaigns within the state of Georgia. Above all, Nicholas Buford is overjoyed to be a child of God. The son of a Baptist pastor, Nicholas has been in church his entire life. More importantly than being in church, Nick has seen lives changed, people healed, and so much more. He's a firm believer that there is not a single person out of the reach of God's grace. Day by day, Nicholas prays to grow closer to Christ, live in a way that is more pleasing to him, and commit to God's master plan. One of his favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11 " 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." Want to receive new blogs in your inbox every Monday? Subscribe to our mailing list.
Interested in joining the AP Team (prayer warrior, blogger, prayer group leader)? Email us: alwaysprayingprayergroup@gmail.com |
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November 2017
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