December 17 Hope for Tomorrow Romans 15:13
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13)
Sunday afternoon, I was in a conversation with a young man who was distressed about the future of our Country, our State, and our World. “What are we going to do? Evil seems to have overtaken what is good and decent and common sense has disappeared!” I suspect that this attitude is more prevalent than one might think. I assured this young man that this present condition will worsen, regardless of what some folks may say and that our responsibility is to continue to grow in God’s Grace and to seek His will and to live our lives dedicated to Him. I am disappointed in many things in our world…politics, church life, social issues, yet, I remain hopeful! Why? Because I know that when we are focused on that selfless act on Calvary and we embrace that true love as the only way to salvation and we commit our ways unto the Lord, then, He has promised that He would keep us and see us through to the glorious end! Have you ever been disappointed? Have you ever experienced a Christmas when everything that was, isn’t going to be, at least, this year? Just a few years ago, actually the last Christmas that Daddy lived, he felt so bad that he could not make the trip to our house, on Christmas Day. I put on my “Happy Face” and celebrated Jesus and Christmas with my little family, yet, deep down in my heart, I was saddened and disappointed that Daddy was not there. I was feeling a bit “Blue,” my Bride said something that resonated with me, and ministered, to my soul. Annette said, “Well, we will celebrate a new way this year!” Boy; that is when I realized, that I was being a bit foolish. Our lives, all of our lives, were experiencing great changes. I began to reflect on the Shepherd’s experience and I thought that I should respond like they did! “Let us now go…and see this thing. And REJOICING, they went!” (Luke 2:15) That Christmas prepared me for the changes that were to come. I try to remember this fact…what is new for us, what is fearful for us, can and will be a wonderful thing! Remember the message of the Angel: “FEAR NOT: FOR BEHOLD, I BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY…” (Luke 2:10) I love what Jeff Japinga wrote, many years ago. He said, “What do I want for Christmas, Lord? The Faith, to face the future with courage and hope!” Our HOPE for Tomorrow is found in our relationship with the Savior! As our scripture text states: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Please do not allow the temporary issues of this day to steal your JOY! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!