Christian Writers Circle

HOPE

By Catherine Japuntich Weil

The word hope in Spanish means “wait in expectation.” What can we wait in expectation for when we are being assaulted by the news of doom from television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and at times friends and family? The planet earth groans with Tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and violent storms. Its face is being destroyed by greed and sin of man. The world economy is falling apart. Present and future security looks bleak. This and religious strife are bringing nation against nation.

We see, hear and feel hopelessness. It is hard to keep a vision of the future alive in this atmosphere. I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking, we need a superhero. Someone who is faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings at a single bound… Nope, I don’t think even Superman could handle this. No president, king or government can get us out of this one, it’s TOO big.

The day Christ entered my life; I was drawn into a different world. God taught me if I love Him first, confess my sins, forgive others, cry out to Him and wait, He would be faithful to answer me. This is a new world with endless possibilities. At first I didn’t believe He would answer me when I asked Him anything and felt insane to think the God of the Universe would bother with my puny requests. As time went by, I saw miracles take place in my life and suddenly my bleak life took flight. His updrafts supported me.

I found my God is who He says He is. He is my Provider, Wonderful Counselor, Healer and Protector.

He has given us many more names to describe Himself and the way He will meet our needs. His name is a Strong-tower and we have the right to cling to and be protected by Him. As time has gone by in my walk, my reality has changed. He is my El Shadai, my All Sufficient One. As Scripture says, Ps.20:5 NIV “Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but we trust in the Name of the LORD, our God.”

Hope springs eternal with God. In every way, He is our only Hope. He is our beloved Savior of everything past, present and future. Draw close to HOPE and wait. You will rise above our present world situations and misery. He will draw you into an everlasting future with hope, joy and endless possibilities.

Hope and Wait Patiently

By Missy Hagy

“But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25

We wait as if we expect something to happen…we see the rain clouds knowing the sky will open up soon…we stand at the end of the driveway looking down the road waiting for our loved one to come home…we watch as an expectant mother anticipates the arrival of her first child…we arise early in the morning knowing the sun will rise and bring light to our day…we plant our flower garden in the spring knowing that soon we will gaze upon something beautiful…we know we’ll see the face of Jesus and it will be a glorious day…all these things we know will be…we do not know when…so we hope for what we do not have and wait for them expectantly and patiently…for one day they all will be.

HOPE

by Judy Hitson

Hope rise up within me.

What other option is there,

hopelessness?

Where will it lead,

death?

There is a better way!

Jesus Christ is our Blessed Hope.

Though death may come,

Heaven is our Home.

Abide in Christ.

That is key!

Proverbs 13: 12 NKJV

Hope deferred makes the heart sick;

but when the desire comes,

it is a tree of life.

Psalm 130: 5

I wait for the LORD,

my soul waits,

and in His word I do hope.

HOPE

By Judy Kowalsky

When in the midst of what seems to be an uncontrollable thunderstorm headed straight at me I stop for a moment and remember that I have hope.

When things can’t get any worse in my life, a glimmer of sunlight will break through those terrifying clouds that surround me. Instead of fixing my eyes on the storm, I turn them back to Jesus.

Hope is the rainbow that appears during and after those intimidating outbursts of life’s detours, abrupt stops and starts, revealing to me a promise that God is in control.

Jesus is more than a ray of sunshine. Especially in a world filled with so much uncertainty and pain. Knowing who HE is, that HE loves me and will keep me safe is my only hope.

There won’t be any need for hope in heaven but it is something we strive for while still here in this world.

If I didn’t know my Jesus I wouldn’t recognize HIS love or compassion for me. I wouldn’t come close to understanding that HIS word is true or even begin to comprehend His forgiveness.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

In HIM we have peace. HE has overcome the world. HE is our only hope.

My Bible “Word Study” on HOPE

by Ruth Dowler

Hosea 2: 15 I will give her vineyards from there and the valley of Achor (trouble) as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as the days of her youth, as the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

Hope is God’s gift to us. I have hope in God, Acts 24: 15. Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance, Ps. 42: 5.

From the Spirit-filled Life Bible, I share from Word Wealth on Hosea 2: 15

Hope, tiqvah (teek-vah) Strong’s #8615

Hope; expectation; something yearned for and anticipated eagerly; something for which one waits. From tiqvah comes the verb qavah meaning “to wait for” or “to look hopefully” in a particular direction. Its original meaning was “to stretch like a rope.”

Tiqvah occurs 33 times. In Joshua 2: 18, 21, it is translated “line” or “cord;” Rahab was instructed to tie a scarlet tiqvah (cord or rope) in her window as her hope for rescue. Yahweh Himself is the hope of the godly, Ps. 71: 5. Here God’s blessing on His land will transform the Valley of Achor (trouble) into the “door of hope.”

The following verses are from the Spirit-filled Life Bible:

Romans 15: 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Titus 2: 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11: 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

These two verses gives hope: John 11: 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

I ask you, “Can we live without hope?” My answer is, NO. Jesus is Hope.

I Timothy 1: 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Come, “Hope” awaits you. Reflection: Hope does not disappoint Romans 5: 1-5

My Easter Hope
By Brenda Flowers

Splendor, sparkling presence

Peace passing through me.

A note of joy?

No, a symphony!

Alive and dancing today

Rejoicing in my love.

My Easter Hope

My DEAR One

ALIVE!

He’s alive in me!

This Easter, I know His presence.

This Easter, I know His peace.

Vibrant vow of wonder

Rejoicing reverently.

He’s Alive

for you and me!

He is our blessed hope not only on Easter but every day.

Acts 17: 28

‘For in him, we live and move and have our being.’

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Copyright © 2009 by The Christian Writers Circle. Published with permission granted by authors.