Hope ? it’s yours in Christ

The word ‘hope? means ‘an optimistic belief that events or circumstances will get better.? ‘Hope? implies that a person is experiencing a certain amount of despair, wanting, or suffering and desires a better outcome.
? A person lying in a hospital bed hopes that they will get better.
? A soon-to-be college graduate hopes that there will be a job available for them.
? The family of a soldier hopes that they will return home safely.
? A ‘prisoner of war? never gives up the hope that he can escape or that one day he will be liberated.
? Many of us hope that our state and national economies will rebound before even more individuals lose their jobs and families lose their homes.
In the end everyone has something that they hope for each day. But Christians have a hope that is unique in the world because it is a hope that does not come from the world. A Christian’s hope contains a certainty that the world cannot offer because a Christian’s hope comes from the relationship God has created through faith. And God has given us all numerous reasons to have a certain hope.
As creatures born spiritually ‘dead to sin? God offers ‘new life? through baptism and the gift of faith by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Christians can have a certain hope in the forgiveness of their sins because of God’s sending Jesus to die on the cross as the ‘atoning sacrifice? (1 John 2:2) for all sins.
Christians can have a certain and refreshing hope each day because of God’s promise through Jesus to be with us always (Matthew 28:20) and that He always provides us with what we need (Matthew 7:25-34).
When this life on earth is over Christians are not left without a future hope. Jesus has promised to return and take believers to their eternal home in heaven (John 14:1-6). The hope that God provides in Jesus is certain. It is a hope that can be experienced each day of our life.
Following are 10 hints for a ‘hope-filled? day that I came across on my church denomination’s website (www.lcms.org):
1. Today I Will Not Strike Back. If someone is rude, impatient, or unkind I will not respond in a like manner.
2. Today I Will Ask God to Bless My ‘Enemies?. If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual.
3. Today I Will be Careful About What I Say. I will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip.
4. Today I Will Go ‘The Extra Mile?. I will find ways to share the burden of another.
5. Today I Will Forgive. I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
6. Today I will Do Something Nice for Someone. I will reach out and bless the life of another.
7. Today I Will Raise the Spirits of Someone Who is Discouraged. My smile, my words, my expression of support can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with the challenges of life.
8. Today I Will Nurture My Body. I will eat less. I will eat healthier foods. I will thank God for my body.
9. Today I Will Grow Spiritually. I will spend more time in prayer. I will find a quiet place and listen to God’s voice!
10. Today I Will Celebrate Forgiveness in Christ even when I don’t live up to the other nine hints listed above!
Hope can spring eternal. That is God’s promise to you. Be blessed!
The Rev. James Krueger is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.