TOPIC: ACCESSING TRUE HOPE
MEMORISE:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5
READ: Romans 5:1-9
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but 1 we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
MESSAGE
One of the ways the devil attacks and hinders God's plan for people's lives is to lead their hearts into a state of hopelessness. It is unfortunate that some people in the church today have yielded to the devil’s devices and are living a life that is full of hopelessness.
In Ecclesiastes 1:1-14, we see the richest and wisest king in the world speak with a tone of depression and loss of hope. This tells us that money, power, and all the material things of life cannot give anyone joy and hope. Those who allow the deceitful pleasures of sin to erode the love for God from their hearts will one day look at themselves and feel empty. This was what happened in King Solomon's life as we see in 1 Kings 11:3:
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
The Bible warns us in Hebrews 3:12 that we should take heed, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Solomon departed from God, and his life became empty even though he was a rich king.
There is no joy or satisfaction in having material wealth and losing your connection with God. Mark 8:36 says:
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his Own soul?
Money and fame cannot give you hope. Only Christ in you can give you hope for a better tomorrow. With Christ, you not only have high hopes for your future here on earth, but you also have an assured future in eternity. If you have Christ, hold on tight to Him because that is the greatest possession you will ever have. 2 Peter 1:3 says:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: you have backslidden at one point or the other, do a self- examination, identify where it all went wrong, and go to God in genuine repentance. You should also ensure that you seek help from other believers around you. Never be too proud to speak to someone that can help you regain your connection with God. If your heart has been turned away from God, I pray that He will restore your connection with Him and take away every feeling of hopelessness you might be experiencing, in Jesus' name.
REFLECTION
Re-examine your life. Do you prioritize God above all things?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-24
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
Hymn 29: WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
o Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
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