4 Living with HOPE
- by AMEN
Give thanks for 3 things!
Write down at least 3 things that you are thankful for. (DON'T JUST SAY THEM. TAKE TIME TO TYPE THEM IN.)
Ask For Wisdom
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." ............. Say a short prayer right now and ask God to give you wisdom and understanding as you read and study His word.
Repent of any Problems
If things happened in your life that you know were not pleasing to God then now is the time to repent (turn away from those things.) Ask God to change you and make you more like Jesus. Embrace Jesus' forgiveness for your sin and receive the power of God to continue to change your life.
Q1
If you were sending an email to encourage someone that you had been asked to pray for, then how would you introduce yourself? (iyi)
Bible 1 Peter 1:1-13
1 Peter 1:1-13 ESV
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Q2 - 1Peter 1:1-13
I believe that everyone of these first 13 verses is filled with something that would bring HOPE to a follower of Jesus! Pick any two verses and describe the nugget of HOPE you see presented there. (iyi)
Q3 - 1Peter 1:1-13
Can you remember a time when you were going through great suffering or stress but were able, because of your hope in God and his promises, to remain faithful? If so, share something about the hope you had at that time. (iyi)
Q4 - 1Peter 1:1-13
God teaches that He chose us before we chose Him. How does that make you feel? (iyi)
Journal What God Is Speaking To You
Alexander Pope wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” Thank God it does! When life’s circumstances seem almost unbearable, it is hope that sustains us. Hope, as Peter uses it, means a “confident expectation,” not a “hope-so” faith. Peter wrote to scattered believers who were suffering great persecution, reminding them of the living hope they had in Christ. He wanted them to remember this with confidence, so that, instead of crumbling, they would give glory to God. We too need to remember the great hope we have so that we will be prepared when suffering comes into our lives.
Verse for meditation and memory
1 Peter 1:3 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,