Overflowing with Hope

How does hope affect us?  All this week Paul is taking us on a journey of hope: helping us to see things differently.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Hope sees things differently.  Hope is the possibility of a different outcome from the one that experienceexpects.  That’s why hope has its origin in the “God of Hope”.

When we read about the latest troubles: “Partygate” and the UK government, the marriage problems of a famous actor, the very real battles in Ukraine, or the failure of an internationally renown church leader, we lose hope; we start to judge.

Throughout this week, Paul is asking us to look again.  To look with hope.

• Governments & authorities?
  Hope sees change coming! I am clothed with Christ for a reason … to affect my world with His love.Love always hopes and gives (1 Corinthians 13:4-13)

• Weak and foolish people?
  Hope sees people who belong to the Lord, bought with His precious blood … new creations who are yet to walk in freedom (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

• Insults and persecutions?
  Hope sees my gifts and graces are enough to change the world around me.When others are pushed down, failing and flailing, we stand strong to help even if it costs us (Romans 15:1-6)

• Divisions and obstacles?
  Hope sees people who succeed as someone to copy.Even Paul needed other people to help, strengthen and refresh him.He named them (Romans 1-16)

• Foolishness and lack?
  Hope sees the cross of Jesus bringing us everything we need for life.We do not lack any spiritual gift and God is going to get us through whatever we face (1 Corinthians 1:4-8).Hope sees power where the world only sees weakness (1 Corinthians 1:18)

• Overwhelmed and disgraced?
  Hope sees past the failures, enemies and floods to the God of Hope we put our trust in.He hears our cry, our prayers, our worship … and ALWAYS responds (Psalm 69:29-36)

Hope leads to faith.  Faith is the very substance of our hope.  Our God is the God of Hope.  Trust again!  Try Him again!  Let your hope rise!  The God of Hope wants us to overflow with hope.  This week is going to be a good week, full of hope and opportunities.  Let the weak say I am strong.  Let the poor say I am rich.  Let the hopeless say I have hope.

This week, as a family chat about the real stuff going on that tries to rob our faith and hope.  Encourage your children to talk about the difficult stuff without judgement but pray and involve the God of Hope who gives us hope that overflows.