Why Do You Have Hope


Meditation

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
(1 Peter 3:15)

Whenever I think back to the time before my heart was filled with the Holy Spirit, I remember how empty how empty I felt inside. I remember how nothing I did to fill that emptiness ever lasted very long. I would wake up the morning after a party with nothing but a hangover. There was a time when I thought being a player with the ladies would fill that hollow feeling. I finally realized I felt more alone than ever. I also thought working long hours for more money would be sufficient to fill that void. The company I worked for moved overseas. All that hard work got me was a pink slip. Why would I ever want to go back to feeling like that again?
At a particularly difficult time in my life, when that hole in my heart seemed enormous, I gave my life to Jesus. My life problems didn’t instantly disappear, but the Lord was with me throughout. He gave me peace and filled my heart with a love I never knew was possible. Before then, I didn’t even really like most people. I was never rude or showed outward disdain for them, but inside, I usually thought they were just a bother. I can’t imagine trying to live my life any longer without Jesus. Even though there are still trials in my life, he makes them seem less overwhelming. I am so grateful for his intervention in my life. How grateful would I be if I kept the fullness in my heart to myself? I express my thankfulness by sharing my faith with everyone.
If you are showing the world the happiness in your heart, someone will ask you why. If you can't tell them why you are filled with love, joy, peace and hope, you are missing the opportunity to expose them to the truth of Christ Jesus! Crack open that Bible you bought or were given as gifts years ago and read! It’s not doing you any good just sitting on the coffee table or a shelf in another room. Make sure you go to a good Bible study, where you can learn from those who teach sound doctrine. You don’t have to be a theologian to tell someone your story; what Christ has done for you. You just have to be honest and care enough about the other person to share Jesus, even though you might face ridicule for it.





Prayer Time

 Heavenly Father you make this life bearable. There are many times, when circumstances get us down, that we can turn to your Son, Jesus Christ, for consolation. Thank you, Lord, for that gift of hope for eternity that Jesus offers us. He has experienced everything we ever will. He knows our suffering. He died an agonizing death to purchase our salvation. Father, that in itself should be enough for us to be more than willing and able to tell people why we have the hope we do. We were given the mission to share the good news with the lost. Part of that good news is telling why we have such hope. Help us to share that our hope is not for some unattainable earthly prize. It’s for the assurance of knowing our place in eternity is secure. It’s knowing, beyond a shadow of doubt, that we will rise at the Lord’s call, and go to paradise with him. We know these things because they are written in your Word. We praise you and thank you for your promises. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
Location: Bergen, NY 14416, USA

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