Living with Hope

 I hadn't planned on writing a blog today, but here we are. You know why? Because God's Word is living, active, and has impacted me today with hope.

This first day of a new year carries hope and anticipation for good things, for new beginnings, and there is NO BETTER PLACE to find true hope and anticipation for perfect good than in God's Word.

I have one simple resolution for this year. Last night at 11:59 it wasn't even on my radar. But, this morning when I readied myself (coffee in hand and a bit to eat) for some time of reading the Bible, I passed my phone. I was tempted to pick it up for just a moment. That's when my resolution came to be. I desire to not pick up my phone in the mornings until after I've spent time reading and being taught, encouraged, and motivated by God's Word. Why would I want to be influenced or motivated by whatever is on that phone rather than by ultimate truth? We all know a moment usually turns into too many moments and we look up and the hour is gone. 

It's a simple resolution, really it is, but I know already that some days it will be a challenge. I find it stupid that such will be the case, but I walk into this year knowing that I often choose stupid. And so? I asked God for strength and resolve to put Him first.

The past few days as a family we have been reading 1 Peter chapters one and two. Wow! What an encouragement!

Peter wrote to the temporary residents dispersed in lands other than their homeland. For me who often feels "dispersed" and transient, his first encouraging piece of information was that where they resided was a place chosen by God for the purpose of their obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. This spoke to me as I read this morning that both our entire lives and in particular this current season is a temporary residence. The transient nature of both carries purpose, plan, desire, and hope in this AND the next season and in all of God's design for us. In all places we are taken by God we are there for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Christ--that is to say we don't reside anywhere without the identity of salvation only in Jesus. It should be known about us, obvious to our neighbors and those we interact with, alongside our obedience to His ways which characterizes our actions and activities. 

To that end Peter states, "May grace and peace be multiplied to you." Yes, I need grace and peace to consistently choose obedience and walk in constant awareness of salvation only in Jesus!

Our hope in every situation is addressed by Peter in verse three, "According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a LIVING HOPE." What is this living hope that never dies? The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and AN INHERITANCE (good news for someone that considers this life and residence a transient situation) kept in heaven for us. We don't have to struggle to build or maintain this inheritance. The ultimate inheritance is already kept for us and Peter spells out that such cannot be destroyed, decayed, wasted, or withered. Yes, what hope!

Peter wrote to people not just living in another place far from their homeland, but to people who also faced hostility and mistreatment. In current culture, faith in Jesus Christ as our only provision of needed salvation is severely under attack. Perhaps we don't personally experience opposition where we live and work, but we either see it around us or hear of situations that others endure. What do we have in those situations? Not just our own willpower to carry on, but listen to what Peter states is our reality!

"You are being protected by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time." BEING PROTECTED BY GOD'S POWER! Every day, each moment we are protected by God's power, through faith.  I am moved to press,"God, strengthen our faith!"

I ask God to broaden our hope and lengthen our understanding that we walk in protection of His power. His protection and provision of faith serve as encouragement, motivation, power, purpose, courage, confidence and joy. In God there is no fear. So, ask for strength and resolve for obedience.

On this day that holds His promise of good and joy, and new beginning, may we keep and carry with us God's living hope of inheritance everywhere we are at every moment.