Hope - the Contrast Between Worldly Hope and Biblical Hope - article reprint

Below I am sharing an article I just this morning had time to read, and I wanted to keep it handy for both myself and for my friends here whom  I thought would be encouraged by it too, especially since my tagline is "Ancient Wisdom/Peaceful Pathways". 

Note the first line of the article:

Hope is an essential ingredient to possessing joy, peace, and faith.

Be encouraged as you read today!

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"What to Do When You've Lost Hope"Curt Landry, Grove, OK

Hope is an essential ingredient to possessing joy, peace, and faith. Every Believer needs to fully understand what Biblical hope is and how to protect it. Before we begin to look at what hope is, how to renew it, and how to keep it, let's look at what it isn't.

Worldly Hope Is Wishful Thinking

People throw around the word hope about as often as they do the word love. In the world today, we hear hope referred to as situations or circumstances that may or may not come to pass. It's as though many see it as pure chance. They say things such as, "I hope you have a great day," or "I hope you enjoy your trip." It suggests wishful thinking rather than something certain.

Biblical Hope is an Assurance

The Word of God tells us something almost opposite of the world's view. It tells us that hope is promised, sure, and always present. God tells us it's an assurance.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (or assurance) of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 emphasis added)

Assurance is a positive declaration intended to give confidence. It's a promise of what will come. Your faith is the manifestation of the hope you have and what will take place in your future. 

Think about that... the promises of God: abundant life, joy, peace, and hope are PROMISES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE. God's statements are not, "Good luck, My child, I hope you find peace and joy."
He tells you it's a guarantee—how amazing! Therefore, He tells you to have confidence. As you keep faith alive, what you are hoping for has to happen. You don't have to try in your strength to make things happen for yourself. When you maintain the faith, which comes by love, hope is manifested in your life by the power of God.
Now remember, this is not an earthly hope. It's not a hope for nice things and lavish living—it's a certainty of God's decree over your life, your identity in Christ, and a fulfillment of His will.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:7)

When Does Hope Come?

Hope comes when you don't quit. The problem with quitting is that it steals your hope. Quitting and giving up your hope only hands it over to the enemy. Endure with patience so that the manifestation of hope becomes a testimony of faith.

Unfortunately, so many Believers hand over their hope before it has had time to be made strong in the Lord. The Lord wants to do a good work in you, so that you become a testimony of His love. He also knows other storms lie ahead; therefore, after you have passed over one mountain and your hope has grown, you will be able to recall His faithfulness to withstand the next.

Your testimony of enduring faith not only encourages those around you but also strengthens you. God wants to build a spiritual repertoire in you so that you can easily arm yourself with His armor and be well prepared for your destiny.

Encouraging Words

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:2-3)

"...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer..." (Romans 12:12)

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25)

How Do I Keep Hope Alive?

You keep hope alive by nurturing and protecting it. Hope is like a small seed that grows by the living water and the light of the Word. As it begins to grow inside, it begins to break through, just as a plant breaks through the crust of the earth. This is the time it is most vulnerable. It is delicate and requires attention and protection until it can stand firm in the elements. Be patient as it matures and grows strong.

"So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20)

Make a commitment to take the seed of hope within your heart and raise it up in the protection of God's Word. Water it daily with devotion. Wrap it in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to place ministering angels around you to guard and protect it. Ask the Lord for the impartation of wisdom and daily revelation of how to maintain the hope you've been given.

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Hope in The Resurrection

When you are born-again and the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you have been given hope of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit gives you the assurance and testifies on your behalf of the righteousness you have been given through covenant restoration.

"...I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (Acts 24:14-15 NIV)

Let this truth soak in to your inner-man. You who are saved have been given hope! You must declare it with your mouth, believe it in your heart, and release it! God's Word does not come back void.

"May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:22 NIV)

Let's Pray:

"Father God, in the name of Jesus, I release the joy of my salvation. I decree and declare Your Word is true and every promise that You have spoken over me will prosper in what it was sent to do. I release the hope that You have given to me for a time such as this, to bear fruit that will last. I release the hope that I am an heir to the throne. I decree that every word You have spoken is final, and that every storm I face can be conquered by Your Word. I live victoriously when I trust in You!"

"Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you"(Zechariah 9:12 NIV).

Rabbi Curt Landry
Founder, Curt Landry Ministries
Email: info@curtlandry.com
Website: www.curtlandry.com

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