Restoring Hope

It has been a few weeks since I have written in my blog and after weeks and months of poor economic news I sense a need to talk about hope. Hope is a positive outlook that our future will be good and there is an expectation that good things are going to happen. Titus 2:13 "while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This is a great example of hope. As a Christian I not only have hope but a blessed hope when Jesus Christ comes back. This is true because at that time we will be restored, renewed and receive our resurrected bodies. Now that is something worth looking forward to. As a Christian this hope actually becomes the foundation of all of our other hopes that we have in this life. There are times I need to put things in its proper perspective in order to develop the God given hope that He has for me. Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." I will never be able to restore hope if i live in the past. I must be forward looking but this forward looking must be based upon the proper foundation or this hope could just become wishful thinking. Our hope is based upon Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us and what He still has in store for us. I have great hope today because I believe in a great God. I have a great hope today because this great God has give to us great and mighty promises. Therefore the first step in restoring hope is restoring our love and faith in God who holds our tomorrow. I have great hope as a child of God. I encourage you to trust in the God of hope.

Pastor John Backes