Living With Hope And Expectation

Several months ago, I discontinued writing my little devotionals. I believe that the time has come to start writing again. So I am reading and writing through 1 Peter. I hope you enjoy and receive a little encouragement along the way…Shawn

 

How are you living your life? Do you live with a feeling of drudgery and dread? As if everyday is just the same ol’, same ol’? Or do you live with anticipation and expectation of something great? Peter, in his first letter to the church said this in chapter 1, verses 3 and 4:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. – 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)

We who are followers of Jesus Christ have been saved by God’s mercy through the Resurrection of Jesus. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, so too will He raise us from the dead. We have the promised inheritance of Heaven. This changes everything! We can live with hope and expectation rather than fear and dread. As you go about your day today, remember the promises of our faithful, merciful God. He has promised you Heaven and so much more. Live today with the expectation that one day you will see Jesus face to face. Hang in there today, because no matter what may come against you, it cannot change God’s promises nor His ability or willingness to keep them.

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Praising God Even If Life Is Falling Apart

The latest message from Griffith First Christian Church in Griffith, Indiana. This message is based on Job 1-2:10 and 42:10-17.

The Hope That We Have

Paul says that we are eagerly awaiting our full adoption into God’s family as sons and daughters of the King. He said that we groan inwardly as though we are in pain while we wait for Jesus to return. This is our hope! Paul then writes:

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

Our hope is one that is not seen, but unseen. This is where faith and hope intersect. We cannot see what we hope for, but we have faith that it is true and it is real. We cannot see Jesus, but we have faith that He is the Son of God and He can save us from our many sins. We cannot see Heaven, but we have faith that Jesus is there now and will be returning someday soon. In our hearts and in our souls, we believe and we have hope. Now we patiently wait for faith to be made sight and for hope to be revealed.

What’s Coming

One of the questions that is most often asked about faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is about suffering. Why do we have to suffer? Why is there pain in this world? There seem to be so few answers when it comes to the question of suffering. Here’s the thing, the Word of God doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that there’s suffering. Paul wrote:

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18 (NIV)

Paul admits that we suffer. This world is full of suffering and everyone suffers because the world is broken. The good news of faith in Christ is that God’s promises can help us persevere through suffering. That the temporary struggles and sufferings are nothing compared with the future glory that is coming for God’s people. Yes, we are going to suffer hardships, pain, persecution, disease and death. These are temporary. God promises that when we get to Heaven, these things will be no more. Suffering will be done away with when God’s glory is revealed to us, so hold on to His promises today.

Jesus Is The Light Of The World

The latest message from Griffith First Christian Church in Griffith, Indiana. This message is based on John 8:12.

No One Else Like Jesus

Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Why? Why would He endure such a thing as the excruciating pain of crucifixion. The word “excruciating” literally means “out of the cross.” It was a word invented to describe the pain of crucifixion. Why would the perfect Son of God willingly go through the cross? Peter writes:

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NIV)

Through the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, we are set free from the power of sin. We are healed by His wounds. We are able to return to a right relationship with God. We no longer live for sin, but we live for Jesus. We find rest and hope and joy and peace through Him. We find our true home in Him. We can live the life we long to live through Jesus. No one else is like Him.

Hope And Faith In God

God the Father chose His Son, Jesus, to be the One who would save humanity from our sins. In His infinite knowledge, He knew that Jesus would save us when the time was right. Peter wrote:

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. – 1 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)

God the Father raised the Son from the dead and through Jesus has made faith in God possible. Our faith is based on this incredible event – the Resurrection of Jesus. Our hope is based on the Resurrection. Without it, our faith is futile and our hope is dead. But we have a living hope because we have a risen Savior! He’s alive and we who put our trust in Him for forgiveness will be raised from the dead as well. This is our hope…