Sunday, February 21, 2021 - 1st Sunday in Lent

“Hope”

           These past few days, with temperatures well below normal for this time of year, I have been thinking a lot about spring!  My how I hope for an early spring. 

           I've been looking at the spring and summer flower pictures I took last year.   Wow,  how I miss those colorful beauties.   If I catch myself complaining about summer's heat this coming season, may I quickly remember how I  have been having to be out in the cold and snow to do chores this Winter.  

The weather man is talking about above freezing temperatures this coming weekend.  How I "HOPE" he is right.   Hope is a very special word, and is mentioned numerous times in the Bible.  Hope is defined as "confident trust with the expectation of fulfillment.” 

In Psalms 39: 7, King David wrote, "And so, Lord, where do I put hope? My only hope is in you."

Psalms 71: 5 says, “O Lord, you alone are my hope, I have trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.” 

In Roman's 15:13, Paul writes, "So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him.   May you overflow with hope through the Holy Spirit."

We hope for many things, for blessings from God  for our families, our country, our friends, and ourselves.  God promises to always love and care for us.  He promises us eternal life through his son, Jesus.  We have the hope of seeing loved ones again who have died and have gone on to be with Jesus in Heaven.  That is comforting to know,  that we will one day be with loved ones who have gone on before us. Jesus promised that he has prepared a place for us in heaven, that we may live with him there forever. What wonderful hope and promises God has given to those whom he loves and who love him. Let us thank God for the hope he gives us. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father,  thank you for the hope you give us.   Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus, who took our sins on himself when he died on the cross and rose again from the dead.  May we always be grateful for the hope Christ Jesus gave us.  Amen

 

God Bless.