Hope Indeed

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(NASB)

Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
(NASB)

Romans 8:24-25
24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
(NASB)


PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you that your resurrection gives us great hope for forgiveness from the past, power for the present, and heaven in the future. Thank you that the resurrection speaks of new life, new hope, and new beginnings. I pray that this Easter brings hope to ______’s heart. Lord, he has experienced a storm of tribulation this past year, and that tribulation has built the stamina of perseverance, which as shown the strength of his character. Now Lord, with this Easter Sunday I ask that you would well up in his heart hope of every sort. Make him feel your complete forgiveness. Make him know your power to persevere in his present. Make him feel strength of heart and character. And give him the faith to feel the assurance of those hopes and dreams that linger in his heart. Give him the faith to feel a conviction that those things he has yet to see are indeed coming one day. Flood his whole person with an overwhelming sense of hope that washes away his doubts and fears forever. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

Dear friend, our Lord has seen your pain and your perseverance. As he rests his eyes on your proven character he calls you strong of heart indeed. Have faith, rest in hope, and bask in his undying love.