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A Glory Seed Devotional
Hope, testing, Jesus, and you…
Are you being put to the test? Are you being dragged along forty miles of bad road and ready to let go and give up? Is life gently enticing you with “pie in the sky” favors? Or does life have you on the witness stand as a hostile witness and cross examining you like a District Attorney whose case is in trouble?
If anyone (or all) of those scenarios apply to you the apostle Paul and bible have some “Rock” solid advice for you. “But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message.” (Colossians 1:23 CEV)
Concerning verse 23 John Gill in his Exposition on the Entire Bible writes, “…but the Gospel encourages to hope in the Lord, from the consideration of rich mercy and plenteous redemption in him; and this hope of the Gospel is an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, and not to be let go; this confidence and rejoicing of the hope is to be kept firm unto the end.”
Hope is more than wishful thinking the testing of our faith will somehow disappear. Hope is basing and living our life on the reality of God and the message of the gospel. “You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb. Christ was chosen even before the world was created, but because of you, he did not come until these last days. And when he did come, it was to lead you to have faith in God, who raised him from death and honored him in a glorious way. That's why you have put your faith and hope in God.” (1 Peter 1:19-21 CEV)
Jesus’ story is our hope! Hope for the believers in Jesus is the guarantee that as Jesus was victorious at the hand of God so will the believers. That does not mean testing will not come Peter cautions us. “Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT)
Exercising hope is depending on Jesus and leaving outcome to God. That may not be the easiest thing to do but we have this promise. “…so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” (John 16:33 CEV)
Believe it! Experience it!
Grace and PEACE,
Gary
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“Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6, CEV)
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Scripture marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
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