“Now may the
God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound
in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NKJ)
God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound
in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NKJ)
Peace. It is a
wispy, hard-to-hold, emotional element. It seems to escape as easily as — or
more so than — it comes or remains.
There are so many hindrances to maintaining peace. There are many instances,
circumstances, situations, words, feelings and emotions that disturb it or
drive it away. What is a disciple of Christ to do?
wispy, hard-to-hold, emotional element. It seems to escape as easily as — or
more so than — it comes or remains.
There are so many hindrances to maintaining peace. There are many instances,
circumstances, situations, words, feelings and emotions that disturb it or
drive it away. What is a disciple of Christ to do?
All around us
children, young people and adults are living in “hopeless”
circumstances or have despaired of a future. And as human beings in the throes
of life on the edge, they resort to “solutions” that do not solve,
but rather complicate life further. Their joy and peace are stolen or destroyed
by actions that are sometimes irrevocable.
children, young people and adults are living in “hopeless”
circumstances or have despaired of a future. And as human beings in the throes
of life on the edge, they resort to “solutions” that do not solve,
but rather complicate life further. Their joy and peace are stolen or destroyed
by actions that are sometimes irrevocable.
The Scripture
teaches us that joy and peace are genetic elements of hope. Without hope, there
is no peace. And where peace is missing, joy does not exist. So I conclude that
emotionally, psychologically and spiritually these three are genetically
intertwined and essential to holistic health.
teaches us that joy and peace are genetic elements of hope. Without hope, there
is no peace. And where peace is missing, joy does not exist. So I conclude that
emotionally, psychologically and spiritually these three are genetically
intertwined and essential to holistic health.
Personally, I am
confident in the encouragement of Scripture. For it is the God of hope who
fills us with “all joy and peace.” And believing in him ignites the
power of the Holy Spirit to overflow us with hope. Our joy and peace have
nothing to do with circumstances, but everything to do with where we place our
hope. And our hope is not in a time, place, or situation. Rather, our hope is
in the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. He is the God of hope.
confident in the encouragement of Scripture. For it is the God of hope who
fills us with “all joy and peace.” And believing in him ignites the
power of the Holy Spirit to overflow us with hope. Our joy and peace have
nothing to do with circumstances, but everything to do with where we place our
hope. And our hope is not in a time, place, or situation. Rather, our hope is
in the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. He is the God of hope.
Certainly this is
all well and good, but . . . life is still here and we are still affected by
surrounding concerns and issues, by what
is occurring now in real time. Hear the Apostle Paul speak, “whatever things
were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NKJ). In the
midst of circumstances, the Scriptures are our greatest spiritual and emotional
support. We can rely on them.
all well and good, but . . . life is still here and we are still affected by
surrounding concerns and issues, by what
is occurring now in real time. Hear the Apostle Paul speak, “whatever things
were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NKJ). In the
midst of circumstances, the Scriptures are our greatest spiritual and emotional
support. We can rely on them.
And again Paul
reminds us, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever
things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–
meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard
and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you”
(Philippians 4:8-9 NKJ). Many times we simply need to change our focus in order
to maintain our joyful attitude and peaceful spirit. It works in the worst of
life’s storms.
reminds us, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever
things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–
meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard
and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you”
(Philippians 4:8-9 NKJ). Many times we simply need to change our focus in order
to maintain our joyful attitude and peaceful spirit. It works in the worst of
life’s storms.
Dear Father, thank
you for the storms of life. They teach us to rely on you and your Word. Empower
us to believe in and trust you that we may overflow in hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the storms of life. They teach us to rely on you and your Word. Empower
us to believe in and trust you that we may overflow in hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Overflow in hope
today,
today,