Reputable studies confirm that people in America, especially
those under age 30, are experiencing sharply higher rates of anxiety and/or
depression in the last 5 years. Experts
point to multiple theories about why. Some suggest that social media creates an artificial
world that full of false comparisons, leading to the conclusion that ‘my life
is so much worse than that of my friends.’
Others point to the fact that finding a good, solid job can be more difficult.
Others talk about the fluid relationships, constantly shifting, that do not
allow for deep, steadying influences that are so necessary to mental and spiritual
health.
I believe that one of the primary reasons for hopelessness
is real hopelessness. It is not just a perception. Humanity apart from God is without hope, lost.
We are made to worship, to be connected to God, our life about more than
finding our next meal, having yet another experience of fun/pleasure. When God is displaced at the center of life,
as He largely is in our time, when even those who are supposed to know and love
Him are frequently just superficially religious, the foundation is eroded and the
meaninglessness of life can become unbearable.
Peter makes this bold declaration. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his
great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can
never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4,
NIV) Because Jesus died and rose again,
by faith we who are creatures of time, under the curse of death, have a lively hope.
Yes, it is not a vague idea. God invites
us to start to live right now like
the eternal beings He makes us through Christ. By the Spirit, the death sentence
that once caused us to seek relief in food, fun, and other diversions, is set
aside. We are made alive, with reason to
live.
And …. We have an assured inheritance. Whatever our
temporary setbacks, disappointments, and troubles at the horizon of time we
know that HEAVEN waits. How do we know this? Because of the Resurrection of
Jesus. He came back! He died for our
forgiveness to make it possible for us to know the love of God, to feel at
peace; and He conquered the grave to let us know that life does not end when we
take our last breath. There is a home prepared for me, for you, that is “pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of
change and decay.” It is not just ‘pie in the sky by and by’ that keeps
us! It is the hope that reaches from Eternity
to Time, that takes away that sense of futility that overwhelms so many who are
captives of sin and the flesh, who somehow realize that they are dead even while
they are alive.
Yes, Christian friend, there is joy in serving Jesus and that
joy is deeper than the foolish and empty promises of the ‘prosperity Gospel’ about
Jesus blessing you with a bigger house, success, and perpetual health. Such
religion promises what it can never deliver.
The truth is that we may experience hard times, we may go through things
for which there is no earthly explanation, but if we are loving God, reconciled
to our Creator through Jesus, we are
never hopeless because our inheritance is secure, waiting for our perfection.
Are you alive to God?
No matter if you are 4, 14, 34, or 84 there is a constant hope that you can possess, beyond health and wealth. That
hope comes from knowing that we are beloved children of God for whom there is love
now and life forever. The result of believing
that in faith is explained in the word from the Word.
Meditate on these lines for a few moments. Let them soak
into your awareness and you will find hope renewed. Troubled? Experiencing some hard times? "These have come so that your faith—of
greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be
proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is
revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do
not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and
glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of
your souls." (1 Peter 1:7-9, NIV)
___________
Mighty
To Save
(Laura Story sings about hope!)
(Laura Story sings about hope!)
Ev’ryone needs
compassion
Love that's never
failing
Let mercy fall on me
Ev’ryone needs
forgiveness
The kindness of a
Saviour
The hope of nations
Saviour He can move the
mountains
My God is mighty to
save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of
salvation
He rose and conquered
the grave
Jesus conquered the
grave
So take me as You find
me
All my fears and
failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to
follow
Ev’rything I believe
in
Now I surrender
Shine your light and
let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory of the
risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and
let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory of the
risen King
CCLI Song # 4591782
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan
© 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
Pastor Jerry Scott
FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH
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