At The Movies | Wednesday
Wednesday | July 22
This Week's Focus:
As Christians, our lives look different because our hope is set on a different source: Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.
As Christians, our lives look different because our hope is set on a different source: Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.
Scripture
Scripture Helps Us Hear God And Live His Truth.
"And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see."
1 Peter 1:5 NLT
1 Peter 1:5 NLT
Living Hope
Friends, our hope is alive! But what do we mean when we say we have a living hope? This statement is rich, yet we often fail to grasp its full impact on our daily lives.
Let's break it down a bit - the word "living" does some pretty heavy lifting when we make a statement about hope. It immediately calls to mind the contrast between life and death. Our hope as believers is active, fruitful, and transformative, whereas the hope of the world is empty, vain, and lifeless. That quality comes from God - His promises, His love, His faithfulness. Therefore, a living hope isn't wishy-washy or based on a "wait and see" approach; it is a steadfast and trustworthy anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:18b-19).
So what does this mean for you and me right now? Well, as we talked about last week, living hope means we face life's ups and downs differently. It also means we are allowing ourselves to be shaped and transformed to look more like Jesus - here and now. Because of what He did on the cross, we are able to embrace genuine freedom and restoration as we grow in our faith (2 Corinthians 3:18)
This is living hope - a surety that fills us with anticipation and joy in the promises of God fulfilled - because Christ achieved victory over sin and death, so will we.
Let's break it down a bit - the word "living" does some pretty heavy lifting when we make a statement about hope. It immediately calls to mind the contrast between life and death. Our hope as believers is active, fruitful, and transformative, whereas the hope of the world is empty, vain, and lifeless. That quality comes from God - His promises, His love, His faithfulness. Therefore, a living hope isn't wishy-washy or based on a "wait and see" approach; it is a steadfast and trustworthy anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:18b-19).
So what does this mean for you and me right now? Well, as we talked about last week, living hope means we face life's ups and downs differently. It also means we are allowing ourselves to be shaped and transformed to look more like Jesus - here and now. Because of what He did on the cross, we are able to embrace genuine freedom and restoration as we grow in our faith (2 Corinthians 3:18)
This is living hope - a surety that fills us with anticipation and joy in the promises of God fulfilled - because Christ achieved victory over sin and death, so will we.
Reflection
Reflection Helps Us Pause, Listen, And Let God Speak To Our Hearts.
- Do I have a living hope?
- Is there someone I know who God is leading me to share my living hope with that they may also have hope in Christ?
Weekly Memory Verse
Read It Once A Day. Let It Shape How You Think And Pray This Week.
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Prayer
Through Prayer, We Talk To God And Listen For His Guidance.
Lord, thank you for sending your Son to save us. I praise you for the living hope you have given me. Help me to share the hope I have in you with those around me! Amen.
Come Back Tomorrow
Join us tomorrow as we lean into what it means to be active in our hope and faith.