God’s Hope

Days of Hope

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

There is nothing that says hope quite like going fishing. We put some bait on a hook and cast it into the water and then wait just hoping for a bite. I loved the photo I used for the featured image today because it is of a Father teaching His son to fish. He doesn’t just sit on the beach and say, “Okay go for it!” No! Instead, He is right there behind him, holding the rod and showing Him everything he will need to learn to catch fish. That is what our Heavenly Father wants to do for every one of us when we answer His call to become fishers of men. He promises to stand by us and help us every step of the way! For those looking for a large print devotional for yourselves or for a loved one I have written the book 31 days of Hope. It is filled with personal stories of Hope especially for those in long term care or who are facing life altering challenges. Though originally released in 2017, this edition features many new devotionals that reflect world changing effects of the virus in all our lives. Here is the link for the Kindle version. This may be just what you need to give to someone else as an encouragement. You never know what a little hope can do!

Seeds of Hope

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. Acts 27:25 ESV

This past week I have been cleaning up the flower beds and planting seeds at my sister in law’s. While she is in hospice care at home my wife is cooking and helping with personal care while I weed, water and trim. Those seeds I plant give Diane hope because every one put in the ground says, “Come back in six weeks and I’ll show you my blooms!” Those seeds reminded me of the story of Saint Paul in the storm.

When Paul was going through that storm the easiest thing to do would have been to complain and blame everyone else. Yet though we can be sure that Paul prayed plenty the text seems to say that God just sent an angel with a message of hope while he was sleeping. Get the picture? Everyone was desperately fighting the storm, but Paul said his prayers, trusted God and lay down to rest! Then when Paul woke up he passed that hope on to everyone else who was in the same boat with him.

When we plant seeds, our garden doesn’t do anything. Its job is simply to receive. We as the gardeners do all the work and the garden gets to give joy to anyone who sees the flowers when they bloom. If we are believers in Jesus Christ then we each are a part of God’s big garden. God plants some seeds of hope in all of us especially when we are facing storms. Maybe we should ask, “What seeds of hope has he given me that I might show to others as they face their storm today?

Hope on the Horizon

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV

Some of us may feel hopeless as we see a political scene where the value of an unborn child is worthless, the purpose of a family is useless and freedom to worship God is considered dangerous. But God sees things differently than us. Because if politics could have changed a single heart, Jesus would have run for office. If money could give happiness and contentment, He would have built a business and lived in a mansion. If entertainment could soothe away fears and calm a world at war, He could have multiplied bread every Monday, walked on water on Tuesdays and turned water into wine for the rest of the week!

But instead Jesus came and gave His life so we could be forgiven. He sent His Spirit to fill us and teach us to love our enemies, wash the feet of our friends and give our wealth to the poor.

Then – not because we deserve it but because He loves us, we find ourselves in a kingdom whose ruler never leaves office. We receive an inheritance of contentment and an eternal home. And most of all we begin to experience true peace as we discover that through the blood of Jesus; God has adopted us as His sons and daughters. So I see real hope on the horizon, because Jesus is still in charge and has a job for us to do. Now what could be more hopeful than that?