Love Hopes
Weekly Overview:
James 2:26 tells us, “Faith apart from works is dead.” If we are going to experience the fullness of life offered to us through our faith we must be those who put our words into action. We must not profess to love God on Sundays and live as if he isn’t present, real, or good on Monday. May your faith come alive this week as you seek to be a doer of the word.
Scripture:“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
Devotional:
Through Jesus we have been afforded an anchor of hope. Through God’s promises of his presence now and total restoration in the age to come, we can have peace in the midst of trials, joy in persecution and steadfastness when it seems nothing can go our way. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” As believers, we have an inheritance of boundless communion with our heavenly Father. And with this inheritance we are called to share our hope with a lost and hopeless world.
The hope that’s been freely given to you was not meant to be solely contained within you. You have a testimony in Christ that has the power to transform lives. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” You are called to hope for a better life for those around you. You are called to believe in people when no one else will. God has abundant life and relationship for all if they will simply come to know him. And he’s chosen to use his children to share that message of hope. Your life has been transformed from being lost and lifeless to being filled with the powerful hope of the gospel. No one is hopeless. No one is beyond the saving grace of Jesus. And God is calling you to love others enough to share with them the reality of his love in both word and deed that they might have hope in God.
The only hope the world has is Jesus. No amount of money, no friends, and no politician can save us from the destruction of sin. The truth of God’s unconditional love and unmerited grace is the only source of redemption and joy this world has.
So who around you needs hope today? Who around you needs to know that God has a plan for their life? Who around you needs you to have hope in“all things” for them today? There is no love without hope. There is no gospel without hope. In you lies the hope for all the world, the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Share that hope with those around you today who are in desperate need of restored relationship with their heavenly Father.
Guided Prayer:
1. Reflect on the hope you have in Jesus. Allow Scripture to remind you of the destruction that awaited you apart from God’s saving grace.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16
2. Ask God who he would have you hope “in all things” for today. Who around you needs someone who will simply believe in them and reflect the unconditional love of God?
3. Ask the Spirit to show you how you can share the message of hope with that person today. How can you reveal God’s heart of grace, love and peace?
Both believers and non-believers need hope. Everyone needs love from the people around them. Whether you’re sharing the gospel with someone for the first time or helping a fellow believer through a tough time, you are needed by the people around you. Exemplify the hope God offers as Jesus did, and watch as lives are transformed around you. May your day be filled with reconciliation and good works as you allow the Holy Spirit to use you.
Extended Reading:1 Peter 1
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