THROUGH CHRIST AND THE CROSS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

THROUGH CHRIST AND THE CROSS

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18

We can do all things through the power of God.  These two verses in Philippians and I Corinthians reveal the cross of Christ as the power of God.  The cross in and of itself is simply a piece of wood, but in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the cross possesses the strengthening power of God.

As the holy saints of God, we begin to understand that the work that Christ did on the cross defeated every foe, every power, every temptation, every devil. There is absolutely nothing that can defeat the Church of God, or you-- His beloved.  He destroyed every principality and power that opposed Him and every power that endeavors to oppose you.

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colosians 2:14,15).

Yes, the law of sin and death was against us and  has been nailed to the cross.  In Christ, we have the perfect law of liberty which allows us to be moved by His Spirit into great exploits (deeds, doings) for the glory of God.

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).

Praise God!  Through Christ and the power of God, which is in  the cross, we can do all things-- and we shall be blessed in our deeds. 

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19). 

 So take up your cross and go...nothing shall by any means hurt you!

  

LYING VANITIES

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013

LYING VANITIES

 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.  Jonah 2:8

Lying vanities have a way of attracting us and distracting us from the will and purpose, power and glory of God.  The lying vanity comes and says, "follow me."  It may be a program that is in church but has nothing to do with Christ, but is appealing to the flesh.  It could be someone promoting worldliness in your prayer group or bible study. When the prayer group, or the bible group, or the pastors' group gets mingled with carnal pursuits so that it has a mixed essence, this becomes a lying vanity.  And when the people of God have no salt in themselves, when they are good for nothing, when they have no word of salvation to offer and no hope or power to share, when the church is as fearful and shaky as the world, this is a lying vanity.

 A lying vanity can also be an insincere show of worship or prayer as stated in the scripture: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward" (Matthew 6:5).  And again in Matthew's gospel we see a warning against the lying vanity demonstrated in giving: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).

When we ignore the needs of those around us we are lying vanities.  Especially if you pretend not to see a need when God has made it obvious.  The Holy Spirit wants to move upon our hearts, leading us to compassion and a demonstration of love for those around us.

We forsake the portion that God has prepared for us when we consider, observe and spend our time with lying vanities.  We are to be about our Father's business and turn from these foolish forays into vain pursuits.

THE SIGN OF HIS GLORY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

THE SIGN OF HIS GLORY

  And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
  Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
  And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
  And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
  And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.  Exodus 8: 20-24

Isn't it true that the Lord wants to be seen, even magnified, in the midst of the earth.  He has always wanted a peculiar people unto Himself, to show forth His praise and His glory. In this text from Exodus 8:20-24 we  see his divine protection over his people, Israel. In the midst of the judgement of flies, there was a land named Goshen, where His people were preserved, uncorrupted.

Today, God still desires to have a people wholly kept by Him, uncorrupted by the world and its perversions.  In Christ Jesus, we have the salvation that we need.  In Christ we are made new.  Let us continue to confess our sins and renew our minds, daily, in the Word.  Let us take on the practice of fasting  and praying as God works in us to build us up and to transform us.

Consider these Scriptures on the fast:

 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
  Isaiah 58:5-14.

SATAN HAS NOTHING IN CHRIST

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

SATAN HAS NOTHING IN CHRIST

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:30

As the saints of God we have everything in Christ:  Our hope, our purpose, our righteousness, our future, our truth, our love.  We live and move in Christ.  We can't live outside of Him. When we encounter our brothers and sisters in Christ we have unity because we have the same hope, and the same purpose, and the same righteousness, and the same future, and the same truth, and the same love.  This is why we can have fellowship with one another and we are commanded to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

In direct contrast, Satan has nothing in Christ.  Satan's hope is in the world.  He desires to interact with the world and the worldly to promote his purposes, which are all of pride and deceit. He can't enter into Christ.  Though he hates the body and dares to destroy it--the gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ or His Church. Disunity and division are the weapons Satan uses within the Church body and those who are not knit together in love, in Christ, are easy targets.  He looks for the self- centered, self- serving carnal "Christian" who is not truly united with Christ or His body--the Ananias and Sapphiras of the church--those who have their own agenda and are not rooted in love. Consider the Scriptures:

 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
  And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
  And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
  Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Acts 5:1-11

Ambition is the characteristic that Satan looks for when he chooses vessels to enter.  He looks for those individuals who don't really believe in waiting on the Lord.  Those who promote their own causes and have confidence in the flesh.

In Christ, God adds all blessings to us as we rest in Him.  We refuse to be ambitious because we have the peace of Christ which passeth all understanding, which is our glorious treasure in this world of tumult and wickedness.  We cleave to Christ as we grow deeper and deeper in love with our LORD.  There is no falling away for the faithful.

IN CHRIST

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

IN CHRIST

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:3-12

Every blessing of God is in Christ.  There is no getting around Him: He is Savior and He is Lord.  Interestingly, the sacrifice of time that it takes to get to know Him is more than worth it, at any age. I hope no one believes that they are too old or too young to get to know Him.  True life begins and never ends in Christ.

I am aware that many seek Christ for what they can get from Him.  For instance, many like the idea of a church family.  And many like the idea of a "Christian home."  And many like the idea of prosperity.  Yet it is the person who seeks what he can get from Christ who never gets Him at all.  You must want Him.  If you don't seek for Him, you won't find Him; you won't get Him; you won't know Him.  You will have missed the mark and will be in the outer darkness.

In Christ, we find the path of life; there is fulness of joy; there is pleasure forevermore (see Psalm 16:11).  In Christ, we are accepted in the beloved and have redemption through his blood.  In Christ, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.  In Christ, we are the children of God.  In Christ, we are in LOVE.

THE PERFECT DAY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, COTOBER 15, 2013

THE PERFECT DAY

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

Today seemed so much like a perfect day in New York.  The sun was just the right temperature of right.  The leaves glistened on the trees...and falling from them.  The waves of the Sound shore rippled to what had to be heaven's symphonic smooth.  And though there were a few things I would have changed about the day, it had a perfectness about it--something that made me think of heaven.

There is a perfect day prepared for us.  A day when we will be with the ONE we love.  " For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isaiah 64:4).

SHINETH MORE AND MORE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 14, 2013

SHINETH MORE AND MORE

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Proverbs 4:18

As God moves us along the path of his pleasure, the revelation of His will increases, more and more.  What at first was just a hint of revelation becomes a beam of revelation, guiding and directing, promoting and encouraging.

The path becomes evident, more and more, and the course clearer.

We can feel, taste, sense, and rejoice in the victory that is ahead.

Today, thank God for the light that is shining, more and more!

THE PATH OF THE JUST

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 13, 2013

THE PATH OF THE JUST

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
PROVERBS 4:18,19

You are "the just" when your life has been justified, in line with the will of God.  When you take hold of the instruction of God and embrace it, you are allowing God to teach and guide you in the way of wisdom.  When you receive the sayings of God, it is then that your life is blessed, preserved, lengthened.  You are enlightened by the Holy Spirit to run the race that has been set before you.

Sometimes we have made wrong decisions and entered a path that "seemeth right," but we find out that it is full of wickedness and crookedness--leading to death. Each step on this path is difficult; each step on this path is rocky and uncertain. This path is dark and very dangerous.  We are to turn from this path--for it is full of strife and violence.

God wants us to walk before him on the path that is full of light.  He wants to lead us and guide us into all truth. He wants us to run the race that is set before us.  He wants us to have confidence that He will be with us every step of the way.


      

DON'T YOU DARE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

DON'T YOU DARE

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
 For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:11-14

Don't you dare try to come into the body of Christ without putting on His Righteousness.  For it is Christ alone who gives us communion with the Father.  As the Scripture tells us, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).  Again, speaking of Jesus, the Scripture says:  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As you accept Christ's sacrifie on the cross for your salvation, you will be forgiven of all sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness.  It is only the blood of Jesus that has this miraculous, cleansing power:  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).  By faith in Christ Jesus we are saved from the wrath, condemnation and judgement that is sure to come on this wicked world.  We must confress with our mouths and believe in our hearts:  "JESUS IS LORD."  

It is so odd to think that the self- righteous, "good works" workers are going to be left out.  You know the ones who look down on others, or the ones who spend their lives volunteering and in great acts of  philanthropy; their goodness will not save them. Righteousness is in Christ alone.  We must die to this "no good thing" flesh, and humbly take on the riches and righteousness of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Today, don't you dare try to come to the wedding  in your filthy rags of self-righteousness.

TRANSFORMED AND TRANSFIGURED: ENTER IN

 IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013

TRANSFORMED AND TRANSFIGURED: ENTER IN

 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
  While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. Luke 9:28-36

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

If you feel discouraged today, remember that the kingdom of God is prepared for you.  Those who suffer and are lonely, weak and poor in spirit, God desires to have you in His presence for eternity.  You who have been oppressed and have struggled with opposition, the kingdom of heaven is prepared for you.  There will come a time when your sorrow will be turned to joy, and you will be with all the saints of God, forever rejoicing.  Jesus Christ is your provision for the blessed future God has prepared for you.

Today, you who are poor in spirit, come into communion with Christ.

WHEN THERE IS NO GOING BACK

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013

WHEN THERE IS NO GOING BACK

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35-39

Have you ever gone hiking in the woods and reached a point where you are well aware that there is no going back?  You know, the only way you're going to get out is to continue ahead.  No, you don't know what is ahead, but you know it's something you've been waiting for, hoping for, and traveling for. And actually, going back would be just plain stupid.  Not to mention all of the time you have invested in your journey, but back...well, you've been there already.  Ahead is newness of life.  Ahead is the intended purpose.   All you have to do is stay on course.  You could possibly create a course of your own and see where it might lead you.  But that would be-- off course-- which would most likely lead you into a deep, dark, ditch--and all hope would be lost.  So, you've journeyed far and salvation is just ahead.  No going back!

The Bible says that our faith must not "draw back."  That is to say,  if we lose our faith in the middle of our faith journey it is like wandering into a deep, dark, ditch...call it perdition. The Bible says that we are to continue in faith: "believe" to the saving of the soul.

Remember this lamentation  as you journey forward in faith:

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentation 3:22-26

Today, one foot in front of the other :-)

WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM IS AWAY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 5, 2013

WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM IS AWAY

 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:15

When the bridegroom was near, we rejoiced and were merry.  We felt delightful because of His presence.  We laughed.  We smiled.  We danced.  This is how the disciples felt when Jesus was bodily on the earth, alive and present.  They could touch him.  They could see him preaching the good news.  They could hear his wonderful voice.  They could rest on the ship with him, knowing that He could calm any storm.  What a marvelous time it was when the bridegroom was near. There was no time for mourning then. 

But when the bridegroom is away, we mourn and feel lonely, even sad.  We want to be near him again.  We want to see His smile and hear him preaching.  But Jesus said that it was necessary for him to go away:  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7)

Yes, the Comforter has come as our provision for the deep loneliness that probably would have engulfed us.  We would not have survived the emptiness and loss of our Saviour.  With the Comforter, we have hope as we fast and wait, ever believing that we will be reunited with the one we LOVE.  The Comforter gives the Church grace to wait and hold on, as He prepares the bride for her soon coming King!  

So yes, while the bridegroom is away, we feel sad, and lonely, and mourn and fast-- but we are thanking God for the blessed Holy Spirit who is causing us to rejoice in hope, preparing us for the marriage supper of the Lamb, and transforming us anew so that when we see Him we will be just like Him.

Today, rejoice in hope!

ABOVE ONLY: RULERS AND GOVERNORS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013

ABOVE ONLY:  RULERS AND GOVERNORS

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: Deuteronomy 28:13

 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesian 1:15-23

Today, RULE!!

DON'T BE THIS: SIMPLE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

DON'T BE THIS:  SIMPLE

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgement, and equity;
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: Proverbs 1:1-5
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:18

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Proverbs 14:15

God never designed life to be simple.  You can see that there is nothing simple about our Creator.  Look at the stars, the moon, the heavens.  Look at the complexity of our biological systems and the chemistry and physics of nature.  Woe to the simpleton.  Woe to you if you lack the power to solve your problems through thoughtful choices, wise decisions. Folly makes decisions based on simple, meaningless notions resulting in short term ease.  God has created us for wisdom, and justice, and judgement, and equity. We must consider matters, weigh them and choose right judgement.  If a man lacks wisdom he is to ask God for it. 

Today, receive the instruction of wisdom, and justice, and judgement, and equity.

REJOICING IN HOPE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 1, 2013

REJOICING IN HOPE

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

Empty hope always makes one ashamed.  When you hope for something that is unfounded, ungrounded, unpurposed--the results are empty, void, vain.  But hope that is given by God is full of promise--enlightening our future, fulfilling God's plans, and making whole our potential.  Hope is a grace given to bring us to our promised futures.  And you know that God's hope is real because He fills our hearts with the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost comforts us in hope. The Holy Ghost excites us in hope and sheds a LOVE that is greater than wine abroad in our hearts, sustaining us in hope.

This hope given by the love and grace of God  maketh not ashamed.

Today, we are rejoicing in hope!