And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven Colossians 1:21-23 (NKJV)
A friend at Church gave me a portion of the Sun Newspaper from the Inland Empire in California the other day. This portion was from the Inland Living section that was placed in the Sunday January 25th copy.
On the front page was the writing, Hope In Obama.
Below the caption was the view captured from the cameral mans lens.
President Barrack Obama was facing forward looking out into a large crowd, which had gathered to witness his historic inauguration. There he stood, slightly elevated above the people on this perched platform, with a mass of humanity around him physically, coupled with the ones who sat viewing from televisions and computers around the world.
This wasnt the first president, which had received this type of following, nor was it absent from our world history as others had placed immeasurable hope in other leaders. But it did find a parallel with those who have come before promising change. Lets face it; change can be a great thing, especially when it is needed. Hope, too, is essential for all humans.
Proverbs 13:12 states, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Hope has this effect on each of us, as it gives us something to look forward to. So then, first, our hope must have reference only to things yet to come.
I believe it is absolutely necessary to have hope, but, as Christians, we should be placing it properly in our Lord Jesus, and not misplace it solely on what one man can do. I tire of opponents of one party or the other nay saying the opposite side due to their political affiliations. I think it is a travesty to see our leaders squander the possibility of making our world, our nation, our cities, our communities and our families better, because they are too busy fighting other politicians due to party lines.
As Christians we can and should be involved in making a change as well, and we can do this in many ways. One of the best ways is to start praying for, and lifting up those who hold office. Im not just advocating the ones who are in office whom you approve of either, but all of them. We should find national and local people who are affecting our lives, and lift them up to the Lord.
I always say, if you didnt vote, you lost your voice about what is going on. In the same manor, if you arent praying, then youre not helping either. Another old quote has it as, If youre not part of the solution, youre part of the problem.
We should not believe in one person changing every aspect of our lives and/or the things needed to be changed; this would be foolish. As foolish as it would for anyone to stand up and say they can change every aspect of these things. We shouldnt place our hope or confidence in this happening, or in this person to accomplish this. I believe we should be placing our hope in the Lord.
This is exactly what The Apostle Paul was speaking of in his letter to the Philippians, when he said, We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, (Philippians 3:3 NLT). Again, I want to say, this has nothing to do with who is in office; it is about how we should always place our confidence and hope in the Lord, for everything that we need, because it is the Lord who supplies all of our needs.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, our hope is a reality for us - not just a desirable possibility, not a dream or fantasy, but something guaranteed by promises centered in Christ. Read the Word of God daily, and see what He has promised for those who seek Him, and accept His Son as Lord and Savior. You want something to hope in; hold on to these promises.
STUDY QUESTION: As Christian men and women, where should we place our Hope?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Have you found yourself disappointed after placing your hope in human leaders?
APPLICATION: Place your hope in God, for all things, and then pray for those in leadership constantly. God hears our prayers and He will answer them, especially when it is a prayer asking for His help.
A friend at Church gave me a portion of the Sun Newspaper from the Inland Empire in California the other day. This portion was from the Inland Living section that was placed in the Sunday January 25th copy.
On the front page was the writing, Hope In Obama.
Below the caption was the view captured from the cameral mans lens.
President Barrack Obama was facing forward looking out into a large crowd, which had gathered to witness his historic inauguration. There he stood, slightly elevated above the people on this perched platform, with a mass of humanity around him physically, coupled with the ones who sat viewing from televisions and computers around the world.
This wasnt the first president, which had received this type of following, nor was it absent from our world history as others had placed immeasurable hope in other leaders. But it did find a parallel with those who have come before promising change. Lets face it; change can be a great thing, especially when it is needed. Hope, too, is essential for all humans.
Proverbs 13:12 states, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Hope has this effect on each of us, as it gives us something to look forward to. So then, first, our hope must have reference only to things yet to come.
I believe it is absolutely necessary to have hope, but, as Christians, we should be placing it properly in our Lord Jesus, and not misplace it solely on what one man can do. I tire of opponents of one party or the other nay saying the opposite side due to their political affiliations. I think it is a travesty to see our leaders squander the possibility of making our world, our nation, our cities, our communities and our families better, because they are too busy fighting other politicians due to party lines.
As Christians we can and should be involved in making a change as well, and we can do this in many ways. One of the best ways is to start praying for, and lifting up those who hold office. Im not just advocating the ones who are in office whom you approve of either, but all of them. We should find national and local people who are affecting our lives, and lift them up to the Lord.
I always say, if you didnt vote, you lost your voice about what is going on. In the same manor, if you arent praying, then youre not helping either. Another old quote has it as, If youre not part of the solution, youre part of the problem.
We should not believe in one person changing every aspect of our lives and/or the things needed to be changed; this would be foolish. As foolish as it would for anyone to stand up and say they can change every aspect of these things. We shouldnt place our hope or confidence in this happening, or in this person to accomplish this. I believe we should be placing our hope in the Lord.
This is exactly what The Apostle Paul was speaking of in his letter to the Philippians, when he said, We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, (Philippians 3:3 NLT). Again, I want to say, this has nothing to do with who is in office; it is about how we should always place our confidence and hope in the Lord, for everything that we need, because it is the Lord who supplies all of our needs.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, our hope is a reality for us - not just a desirable possibility, not a dream or fantasy, but something guaranteed by promises centered in Christ. Read the Word of God daily, and see what He has promised for those who seek Him, and accept His Son as Lord and Savior. You want something to hope in; hold on to these promises.
STUDY QUESTION: As Christian men and women, where should we place our Hope?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Have you found yourself disappointed after placing your hope in human leaders?
APPLICATION: Place your hope in God, for all things, and then pray for those in leadership constantly. God hears our prayers and He will answer them, especially when it is a prayer asking for His help.
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