What is faith but the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. To grow our faith, we must first grow in hope!
With all the talk of people succumbing to fear, and the confusion created by wicked people who, for whatever their intentions are, create it and stir it up, there have been reported a rise in those who have taken their own lives. The question people have asked many times now and over the years is “What happens to someone that commits suicide?” Many denominations have called this the mortal sin that there is no forgiveness for, but that is not true. That is another falsehood. Listen to Kim Clement as he gives a Biblical accounting for those who have been FEAR MONGERED, and down trodden into hopelessness which led to ending their valuable life.
In my opinion, if anyone is bound for the hot place in hell, it would be those that stripped the person of their hope, their freedoms, their future, or gave them drugs that altered their perception. Be those drugs prescription, or from the street. And especially those who drove them off the cliff with lies and fear mongering.
We never know what burdens someone else is carrying and how our actions can unknowingly be the last straw for someone dealing with emotional pain and suffering. Sometimes, it can be someone who just can’t deal with what they have done, but most often it is someone who can’t see hope of a better future and feel worthless. The only way to not be with the Lord after death is to have known of him and rejected him, having never believed or received him in your heart. And even then, that may not be a reason, for we do not judge, God does and God’s ways are not man’s ways.
I want to add a number 7 to the list above.
7. They help others when they are in need without price or fear of what others may think.
In these trying days when the ground is shifting out from under us…we need to sprout our wings of God’s promises. We need to help others when their wings are broken… find some type of super glue to mend them and the most powerful source for that is in The Lord.
One of the most new words used to mock those who have put their future in God’s hands at such a time as this, is the word Hopium. It is being used by many to mock those who have hope in God’s promises as being weak, and dumb for not fighting in the streets or whatever they think those with hope should do instead of waiting upon the Lord. These people fail to understand that hope is the builder of faith and that every Christian armed in the armor of God is also ready to defend with a sword if needed. They confuse kindness and mercy with weakness. So fear not, love your fellow man, defend and protect those who cannot defend and protect themselves. Just watch a mother with Hope…go mama Grizzley when you come for her children. For what the enemy cannot see is the power of legions of angels by her side with mighty swords and a host of heavenly ways to protect.
MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU….
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Romans 12:12 – Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 8:25 – But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 15:13 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 5:2-5 – By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Psalms 39:7 – And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
The more hope you have the greater your faith will grow…having hope and faith are like having both God the Father and His Son with you at all times!
Dianne
