Friday, November 15, 2013

Hope

Be joyful in hope. Romans 12:12

God makes us excited when we think of the amazing grace He has poured out over our soul, mind and heart. Like a warm spring bubbles up from an otherwise cool, quiet creek, Christ’s hope relaxes and replenishes our life with joy. He is joy. His hope is a handmaiden who offers the Holy Spirit’s help. His joy is a journeyman who takes us to a peaceful place. Hopeful joy is not reserved for certain temperaments, even the melancholy and the morose can experience joy in Jesus. 

Too much religiosity can create the unintended consequence of an excessively somber soul. If our convictions restrict us from rejoicing in the righteous acts of the Lord, we may be more pious than the Lord intends. A spiritual discipline that does not lead us to enjoy God and others is suspect of self reliance. Moreover, hope in Christ is an excuse to exercise the freedom to be happy in Him. Jesus gives us hope to enjoy life’s journey. Salvation alone is enough for the saved to smile.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Trust in God precedes hope in God. Indeed, faith is the foundation of a spiritual life built with windows of hope. So take time to peer out of prayer’s portals into the Lord’s work. His Spirit releases those captured by crime, seduced by success and trapped in sin. The work of God is global and massive in influence: new converts, new churches and new Christian leaders populate the planet. Yes, joyful hope supported by belief in Jesus is sustained by the Holy Spirit’s power. 

Therefore, be a channel of Christ’s hope. Like a refreshing river brings life to vegetation and trees along its banks, so out of your surrendered life flow rivers of living water that grow joy and hope along the banks of your being. Hope breeds joy. Hopelessness kills joy. Hope brings peace. Hopelessness feeds fear. Hope perseveres. Hopelessness gives up. Hope trusts. Hopelessness distrusts. Yes, faith fuels hope. Praise be to God who offers a lively hope in His son Jesus Christ.
 
Come worship with us tonight for Free flow Friday a time of Spirit-filled, Spirit-led worship tonight at First Baptist Chesterbrook 1740 Kirby Rd. McLean Va.

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Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101
Worship with us Sundays at 10:45am
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
Listen to "Life Notes" with Pastor Brown
Mon-Fri at 11:55am on WBGR

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