Because my hope—my confident expectation of good—is in God, I can (and should) live joyfully no matter life’s circumstances around me. Regardless of the “stuff” I. am. His!
I am saved and being saved! (Luke 19:10)
I am free and being freed! (Galatians 5:1)
The hope that lives within me (1 Peter 1:3; Col. 1:27) initiates my joy! Joy unspeakable and full of glory—His glory!
When my hope is truly vested in Him, I should have no concerns. All my concerns are in His care and if they are in His care and I have faith in His unwavering, unchanged character (and I do!) than joy should be the result! Not worry or fear. (Heb. 10:23)
If God is for me—who can be against me? What could possibly happen that He has not allowed for His glory and for my good? In any and every situation—I. will. be. fine!
There is my joy. My joy stems from the truth that I believe without doubt God is for me and not against me. My faithfulness is the foundation of my joy.
Joy is—can be—because He never fails. He never forgets. He never walks away—even for a moment. He never lets me down.
Joy is God’s faithfulness manifested in my life.
The one without God, without His safety, without His faithfulness is the one without hope of the assurance of a good end result. My hope is assured! Therefore...joy!
The more I hope, the more joy I walk in, the more solid my faith. My faith solidifies and grows down deep as I trust in the hope that is to come. (1 Peter 1:13)
Hope grows my faith.
Hope grows my joy.
When my hope falters—weakens upon a difficult or unforeseen circumstance—my faith gets shaky. Doubt and despair will creep in and I will lose my joy.
“Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7
My hope is in the Lord. The flesh, the world and the evil one work to stop its flow.
Our hope stays vibrant and strong by...
Knowing the Truth
Walking in the Truth
Speaking the Truth
Renouncing any lies the evil one feeds our mind
Rebuking any of our own thoughts (those fed by the world of untruth) that goes against God’s character.
“Through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4b
Holy Spirit—fan the flame of hope that lives within me!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
