Hope

Lent, Week 4: Hope

Posted on by Shameless Plug

We are already halfway to Easter! I don’t know about you, but this Lenten Season has truly been a blessing. The more time that I spend with the Lord, the more I realize that our life, hope, and trust should be in Christ. It may be difficult for you right now but don’t sweat it! Put your hope in God!

Colossians 1:27 says: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Our hope, our purpose is found in Christ, the One who has saved us. But so often we don’t place all our hope in Christ – we say that we trust in the Lord, yet we hype up and boast in others.

What brings you true satisfaction?

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17). You see, no matter how much we think the things of this world bring us joy, the riches we find in God are far greater. The joy He gives us is everlasting. Our hope of glory gives us confidence and perseverance. It’s a hope that is certain and true.

So do not lose heart! You may be going through tough times as you’ve given things up for Lent. Trials and temptations may come your way. But press on and endure, persevering in tribulation, and continue to devote your life to the Lord (Romans 12:12). Continue to remember that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and nothing else can compare to the benefits of knowing Him & being in an intimate relationship with Him!

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:10)

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Reflection Song: Christ Is

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Lent, Week 3: Love

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Have you ever felt disappointed in yourself? Have you ever had someone disappointed in you? Thankfully, our Father has such an everlasting love and patience for us!

We are far from perfect and we are so often disobedient in God’s eyes. Yet God is the perfect parent, the perfect Father, continuing to love us and accept us. In Romans 3, Paul says that we have no advantage – that there isn’t even one who is perfect among us. “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Yet even in our sin, God was not willing to lose any of us.

God says in Ezekiel 34 that like a shepherd looks after his scattered flock, He will look after His sheep – gathering them, tending to them, searching for the lost and bringing back the strays. In this Lenten Season, let us not forget about God’s care for us: Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place, experiencing the death that we deserved… a gift of His perfect love. Remember that we aren’t going through these 40 days because of obligation. God isn’t looking forward to your annual sweets, coffee, social media, or whatever you’ve given up this Lent. He wants you, now, given up as a living sacrifice.

No matter how far we think we’ve strayed or how badly we’ve done wrong, nothing is greater than our Shepherd, our Savior. We want to encourage you in Week 3 to continue going forward strong and confidently toward him, even in the midst of disappointments and discouragements… Christ came for us to show God’s love for us. So we hope your Lenten Season is full of love & blessings so far – it’s not by our own strength that we can live life to the fullest, but by the blood of Jesus!

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:6-11

Reflection Song: All To You

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