I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as this beautiful Friday morning dawns! Additionally, I hope this has been a great week for you.
It's funny; most weeks I know exactly what I am going to write in Happy Friday. This week is different...I know exactly what I am going to write about however I honestly don't start this knowing exactly where it is going to go or how it is going to end. I simply know what I am supposed to write about. Yesterday afternoon, as I was thinking about this Happy Friday, I started trying to come up with other things I could write about and there was almost an immediate conviction of my spirit that said, "no, this is what you are supposed to write about." I honestly didn't give it another thought...I knew. This usually means someone, somewhere needs to hear - perhaps be reminded of - whatever it is that will be shared. My intention is not to be some great teacher but rather to share some thoughts and most importantly, hopefully spark some reflection within your own heart, mind & spirit.
"Hope"...a very simple, four letter word. The word "hope" has been on my mind a lot lately. I don't really know why however I recognize the peace that comes over my heart, mind & spirit when I read or hear the word "hope". It is interesting. Perhaps it is God reminding me to never give up on it.
Dictionary.com defines "hope" as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. I don't know about you but I was surprised when I read the definition. I think the part that hit me the most is that it is a feeling. The things we feel are emotions and emotions can be controlled. This then means that hope is a choice. You and I Friend can choose hope - we can choose to feel that what we want can be had, that events will turn out for the best. We might not be where we want to be - mentally, physically, spiritually, in a season of life - however we can choose to feel that things will turn out for the best, that perhaps we will get to where we want to be. Feelings are emotions which we control; how we feel dictates how we act; actions lead to our destiny. Can't I then argue Friends that the choices we make with hope in fact order our steps to the lives we will live and the legacy we will create? Please think about it...
During halftime of Gehrig's football game last night I started looking up a few things on hope - got love smart phones and my iPhone 5 works just fine thank you! :) I want to share a few excerpts from an article on hope I found at bible.org.
In Scripture, according to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word "hope" and according to the biblical usage, hope is an indication of certainty. "Hope" in Scripture means "a strong and confident expectation."
In summary, hope is the confident expectation, the sure certainty that what God has promised in the Word is true has occurred, and or will in accordance with God's sure word.
In the Bible, hope is never a static or passive thing. It is dynamic, active, directive and life sustaining. This is everywhere obvious as we read the Word. Take a concordance, look up the word "hope" and you will find reference after reference pointing out the active results of hope in the lives of those who truly have a biblical hope and live accordingly.
IT HAS RESULTS
(1) It changes how we see ourselves.
(2) It changes what we value.
(3) It affects what we do with our lives - our talents, time, treasures.
IT HAS REWARDS AND BLESSINGS
(1) It gives us joy and peace.
(2) It gives us protection.
(3) It gives us strength, courage, boldness.
(4) It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.
Please remember, these are just a few excerpts that I quickly pulled out this morning. I would strongly encourage you to go to bible.org and read the full article about "hope." Whether you do or not, please think about it...
I also want to share a few quotes with you:
"Take hope from the hear of man and you make him a beast of prey." - Ouida
"Never deprive someone of hope - it may be all they have." - Unknown
"When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you're slamming the door in the face of God." - Charles L. Allen
Friends, I don't know who you are or where you are - spiritually, mentally, physically, in this season of life. I do know that there is a lot of brokenness, hurt, sorrow in this world. My prayer and yes, hope for you is that hope will rise up from the depths of your soul. That today, perhaps for the first time, you will choose to live a life of hope. That your thoughts, words, attitudes and actions will be one's of confident expectation, that you will know that you will in fact become all that you have fearfully & wonderfully been created to become. That no matter the struggles, trials & tribulations you will confidently expect victory. This is my hope for you today!
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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