Hope

What Does Hope Look Like?

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.  Ruth 1:16 ESV

In this small Old Testament book, we meet a woman named Naomi, for whom all natural hope seemed to be lost. She had followed her husband to a foreign land where he and both of their sons died. Naomi was alone in that strange place, a woman with no resources, no hope, future and no idea where to turn. Her only choice was to return to her home village.

But Naomi found hope in the unexpected kindness of her faithful daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth shows all of us how holding on to God in desperate times gives hope both to us and to those around us. Even at the lowest point of Naomi’s life, God had already begun to work to restore hope. That hope began in the form of Ruth. Though no one else would go with Naomi and no one else would help, Ruth chose to remain. Ruth chose to walk with Naomi through that darkest time of her life. Ruth had no answers to give and no special abilities to offer. Ruth simply stood by her friend.

God has also begun a work in every one of our lives. Even when we find ourselves in unexpected sorrow God is in control. We don’t need to know all the answers to be kind. God Himself will bring us Hope and He can use us to bring hope to someone else. What does hope look like? With God’s help it just might look like you or me!

What Does Hope Look Like? by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved

Whatever Happened to Mercy?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy Matthew 5:7

Whatever happened to mercy in our political arena and in our community? Where is forgiveness clearly messaged towards people who don’t agree with us, live up to our standards or fit in with our tight knit circle? When we are anxious to pick up stones to throw at people we might want to be careful of whom we hit. The person who is today’s vicious opponent may one day become a missionary like Paul. The liar we contend with at work could one day become a pillar of our church like Peter. Skeptics who question all we believe in could one day be like Thomas who traveled all the way to India bringing the message of the gospel!

Looking at racism, looting, and violence it is easy to begin to feel that some of those people really don’t deserve mercy. But that misses the point. Mercy cannot be deserved! Mercy is the attitude that reflects the undeserved second chance that God has given to anyone who comes to Him. Mercy is the action that says there is always hope for someone else’s life. Especially for we who call ourselves Christians, mercy should always be our first response rather than our last resort. Jesus teaches us that mercy unlocks God’s blessing. There is still hope for God’s blessing on our community because of mercy. No one is too far away for God to reach. God’s mercy can reach every hard angry and rebellious heart … even our own!

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Mid-Night in the Storm

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ Acts 27:23-24

When my sister and I were making too much noise, my Mom used to yell at us “Quiet! I can’t hear myself think!” That is exactly what both Paul and the sailors were experiencing in a fourteen day storm. One of the greatest difficulties during heavy storms is our inability to think or even communicate with others. But no matter what our circumstances we can continue to pray. When it seems most difficult we need to encourage ourselves with the reminder that God often sends His message at mid-night. In fact He not only sent a message to Saint Paul in the storm at mid-night but He chose a few other times in the Bible to do the same:

white and black moon with black skies and body of water photography during night time

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It was at mid-night that the angels appeared to the shepherds – And at mid-night that Jesus came walking out over the waves – It was midnight when the call went out, “The bridegroom is coming.” – And at midnight God will send His message to us. At mid-night when we are least expecting God’s help He comes.  At mid-night He stands by our side and says, “Don’t be afraid.”

What are you facing today?  Is it mid-night in your storm? It is not too late! In fact mid-night is the perfect time for Jesus. He comes at mid-night with a message of Hope!