May 7, 2008

by Sheila Walsh on 04/30/2008 01:04

PLACE YOUR HOPE IN GOD!

"Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your Keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Hold fast to his dear hand, and he will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms."
Saint Frances of Sales

Dear Friends,
I have been thinking a lot about hope recently. Hope for a believer is a very different experience than for someone who does not acknowledge the Lordship of Christ and hope is only as strong as the person or object it is directed towards. It has no value of its own. I can say that "I hope this diet is more effective than the last fifty-three I tried" but as the problem is me and not the diet, it's not looking good! When we place our hope in God our Father, however, we are placing our hope in someone who has never and will never fail us.

This doesn't mean, as you well know, that life will always be easy. In his letter to the Church in Rome, Paul talked about the role of the hard stuff of life in fine-tuning our hope.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)

So what do we hold onto when life is difficult and no help seems to be at hand? What do we do when we pray very specifically for something and see no answer? In these moments we hold on to what we cannot see which, by faith, we know is more real than what we can see with our human eyes.

We hold onto the truth that God loves us and is watching over us.
We hold onto the promise that God will make everything work together for good to those who are the called, according to his purposes.
We come to our Father daily for the grace that He has made available for that day.
We lift our eyes and our hearts and by faith we worship.We remember that no matter how difficult this journey might get at times, because of Jesus-THIS ENDS WELL FOR US!

I have a couple of personal prayer requests for my family and would be grateful for your prayers:

On May 23 our son, Christian has surgery scheduled to repair a small hernia. His surgeon thinks that there might be two, so he will look into that when he is operating.

My mom was sent to her local hospital last week for some tests. The tests revealed that she has a tumor on her bladder and is scheduled for surgery in June. I asked her if she was afraid and she said that she is not but would be very grateful for your prayers- so on her behalf- thank you!!

This weekend I have the joy of returning to Pinon Hills Community Church in Farmington, New Mexico. I'll speak and sing at the service on Saturday night and two services on Sunday. If you live in the area, I'd love to say hi!

I pray that God will fill your heart with hope today.

You are loved,
Sheila

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