growing hope

"Of all the emotions we want to grow, hope is the hardest..... because hope is about believing, we need God's help and the power of the Holy Spirt to accomplish it in our lives.  But we can certainly enlarge our hope as we place our belief squarely in what he promises.

How much standing-on-tiptoes, butterflies-in-the-stomach, latch-onto-it-like-a-vise-grip hope do you have for the things God says are in your future?  

Here's just one promise to consider:  "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  All these things are gone forever."  Now go out and should that from the rooftops!  Better yet, live out your hope before everyone, and live your life in light of the coming triumph of hope and joy and love over death and sorrow and paint.  You are a member of the kingdom of hope!

Take that, you evil world!

Take that, death!

Take that, war and terrorism.

Take that, disease, disaster and poverty!

Take that, sin and sorrow and selfishness in my own heart!

It is only a matter of time before you will be gone forever."

Feel.  by Matthew Elliott.  page 185