December 19, 2021
We’ve had such a beautiful couple of weeks celebrating Jesus. We went to the theater and saw the Chosen Christmas - Messenger. Then we were able to go to the production at Andrew Wommack’s Ministry, The Heart of Christmas. It was amazing. We enjoyed the day with snow, love all the brilliant lights as we drive, sing along with the Christmas music and had fun decorating our tree. We’ve had folks to our home and gone to other welcoming homes. I’m slow in the gift buying department, though. With 25 grandchildren (that includes the spouses) and a new great grandbaby, gift giving is a delight to me but shopping these days isn’t so delightful I will need a miracle in that department! One of my greatest joys is that Mom lives with us and we get to enjoy all these Christmas adventures together.
I’ve shared about having His peace that passes all understanding and His joy that lives in me that is unspeakable and full of glory. What He has shared with my heart this week is His hope. Hope is the earnest expectation of good. We hope for what is unseen. Once it is seen, we can no longer have to hope in that. “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.” Hebrews 11:1
This week I was reading in a Christmas devotional about anticipation. This time of year, is an incredible time of anticipation. We focus on preparing for Christmas and anticipating what the season will be like for weeks before. We have hopes and expectations of good and anticipate, which is an excitement of something good that is about to happen, a peaceful, joy filled Christmas season. Yet, there’s always that little seed of doubt in our head knowing our expectations are not always realistic.
Whenever we have expectations on people, places, things or positions we have put our hope in what can fail. When people, places, things or positions fail us, which they will, we can lose hope in everything. We can only have our true hope in Jesus. No matter what plans you make, how well they are thought through, without them being the plans of our Father, they will fail to satisfy you. “For I’m releasing these words to you this day, yes, even to you, so that your living hope will be found in God alone, for he is the only one who is always true.” Proverbs 22:19
The only truth we can count on without doubt and put all our trust, hope, expectations and anticipation in is our Lord and Savior. Anything you expect, hope or anticipate beyond Him will not satisfy the longing inside you.
“Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!” Psalm 27:14
“Human strength and the weapons of man are false hopes for victory; they may seem mighty, but they will always disappoint.” Psalm 33:17
“He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence.” Psalm 91:2
“Your future is bright and filled with a living hope that will never fade away.”
Proverbs 23:18
“But hold your hope firmly to the end and you will experience life and deliverance.” Matthew 24:13
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 2:14
“God sent his word to the Jewish people first, announcing the wonderful news of hope and peace through Jesus, the Anointed One, the Lord of all.” Acts 10:36
“Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass: “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!”
Romans 4:18
“Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!” Romans 5:2
“And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!” Romans 5:5
“For this is the hope of our salvation. But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have?” Romans 8:24
“Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.” Romans 12:12
“Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” Romans 15:13
“Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!” Colossians 1:27
The next few days as you continue to prepare for Christmas day keep your mind and heart focused on the only true Hope. He is the only hope that is beyond a shadow of doubt. If you find yourself doubting Him and His love, then take extra time to get into the Word and know His love is true and never fails. Expect ONLY good from Him. Let all your hope and earnest expectations of good be in Him alone and watch how He will minister to your heart.
Everything else in this world will disappoint and fail you. No matter what efforts you put forth in anything you do, it will never satisfy or fulfill the deep longing in your heart that only He can fill. Give Him a chance, the next dew days, to be your All in all. “So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!” Hebrews 10:23
Have a blessed, peace, joy and hope filled Christmas season knowing that He came to give you life and life more abundant. Merry Christmas!
We’ve had such a beautiful couple of weeks celebrating Jesus. We went to the theater and saw the Chosen Christmas - Messenger. Then we were able to go to the production at Andrew Wommack’s Ministry, The Heart of Christmas. It was amazing. We enjoyed the day with snow, love all the brilliant lights as we drive, sing along with the Christmas music and had fun decorating our tree. We’ve had folks to our home and gone to other welcoming homes. I’m slow in the gift buying department, though. With 25 grandchildren (that includes the spouses) and a new great grandbaby, gift giving is a delight to me but shopping these days isn’t so delightful I will need a miracle in that department! One of my greatest joys is that Mom lives with us and we get to enjoy all these Christmas adventures together.
I’ve shared about having His peace that passes all understanding and His joy that lives in me that is unspeakable and full of glory. What He has shared with my heart this week is His hope. Hope is the earnest expectation of good. We hope for what is unseen. Once it is seen, we can no longer have to hope in that. “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.” Hebrews 11:1
This week I was reading in a Christmas devotional about anticipation. This time of year, is an incredible time of anticipation. We focus on preparing for Christmas and anticipating what the season will be like for weeks before. We have hopes and expectations of good and anticipate, which is an excitement of something good that is about to happen, a peaceful, joy filled Christmas season. Yet, there’s always that little seed of doubt in our head knowing our expectations are not always realistic.
Whenever we have expectations on people, places, things or positions we have put our hope in what can fail. When people, places, things or positions fail us, which they will, we can lose hope in everything. We can only have our true hope in Jesus. No matter what plans you make, how well they are thought through, without them being the plans of our Father, they will fail to satisfy you. “For I’m releasing these words to you this day, yes, even to you, so that your living hope will be found in God alone, for he is the only one who is always true.” Proverbs 22:19
The only truth we can count on without doubt and put all our trust, hope, expectations and anticipation in is our Lord and Savior. Anything you expect, hope or anticipate beyond Him will not satisfy the longing inside you.
“Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!” Psalm 27:14
“Human strength and the weapons of man are false hopes for victory; they may seem mighty, but they will always disappoint.” Psalm 33:17
“He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence.” Psalm 91:2
“Your future is bright and filled with a living hope that will never fade away.”
Proverbs 23:18
“But hold your hope firmly to the end and you will experience life and deliverance.” Matthew 24:13
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 2:14
“God sent his word to the Jewish people first, announcing the wonderful news of hope and peace through Jesus, the Anointed One, the Lord of all.” Acts 10:36
“Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass: “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!”
Romans 4:18
“Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!” Romans 5:2
“And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!” Romans 5:5
“For this is the hope of our salvation. But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have?” Romans 8:24
“Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.” Romans 12:12
“Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” Romans 15:13
“Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!” Colossians 1:27
The next few days as you continue to prepare for Christmas day keep your mind and heart focused on the only true Hope. He is the only hope that is beyond a shadow of doubt. If you find yourself doubting Him and His love, then take extra time to get into the Word and know His love is true and never fails. Expect ONLY good from Him. Let all your hope and earnest expectations of good be in Him alone and watch how He will minister to your heart.
Everything else in this world will disappoint and fail you. No matter what efforts you put forth in anything you do, it will never satisfy or fulfill the deep longing in your heart that only He can fill. Give Him a chance, the next dew days, to be your All in all. “So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!” Hebrews 10:23
Have a blessed, peace, joy and hope filled Christmas season knowing that He came to give you life and life more abundant. Merry Christmas!
