HOPE

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18).

Hey Gang,  As I read the Daily Guidepost Devotional for November 9^{th ,}  it struck me as one that needed to be shared.   We have been blessed to be in Branson, Missouri, for Veterans Week and have literally been blown away with the number of Vets and spouses here and with the beautiful lights and Christmas decorations.  The lights glitter continuous from   early morning to late at night.  

We spent a day at Silver City, an amusement park.  Again, we were blessed, not only with the magnificent decorations but also the quality of the play productions.  They boast of having more than four million lights through- out the park.  Over one hundred thousand lights are built into the parade floats and folks who parade through the park.

It was a truly beautiful experienced but as we enjoyed the many sights we could not help but think of the many people, including family members who are dealing with very serious issues.  There are many on our prayer list who are dealing with spiritual, physical, emotional and financial issues.  Many who need Hope.

Carol, the writer of today’s devotional, went with her husband for an on- going cancer check up and shared with the Doc that he was using the word ‘hopeless’ more often.  Her husband had been on maintenance chemo for over a year.  (We personally know a bit about cancer issues. We have learned new phrases as chemo-brain, as well as old ones ‘very tired’, and ‘not able to do things I once could’.

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The Doctor asked him,  “What feels hopeless?  Lynn’s response, “I don’t think I’ll ever feel any better than I do right now.”

The chemo goes on – for you it may be one of many other issues or diseases.  This couple now challenges each other each evening with the question “Why are you glad you lived thru this day? As

 you can imagine the answers vary  - a birthday of a family member, beautiful colors we saw recently, accomplishing a task, etc.  The important thing the writer said was that for both of them  the question seems to open their eyes to all the possible answers.

Yes, young friends, there are so many things to be thankful for.  Many of you are sharing them daily on face book.   But the only way to change ‘hopeless to hope’ is knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord, Get your concordance and look up “hope”.  Here’s a couple for you to get started with:  I Tim. 4:10,  “ Put your hope in the Living God”;  Col 1:27 God’s mystery “Christ in you the hope of Glory”; Rom. 15:13 “May God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust Him”; Heb. 6:19 “”Hope as an anchor for the soul – firm – secure.

Some of you are old enough to remember the hymn “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame – but holy trust in Jesus name. (chous) On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…

S ooooo my Christian bothers and sisters,  ”Fix your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”  (Hebrews 12:2).

Blessings,

Gma