The Journey – 8. Have You Lost Hope?

I struggled to know what I should share with you this week. I went back and forth unsure which direction I was to go in. Christmas theme or one more shot at this idea of The Journey.

So, I chose to spend one final week on this subject, knowing I’ve only scratched the surface but also I know We have established the purpose and God’s primary intention of taking us the route He is taken us.

Few things I believe the Lord is going to deal with this morning IF we allow Him.
1. Disappointment. (circumstantial)
2. Discouragement. (internal)
3. Despair. (given up hope)

As I mentioned in week one there are two seasons along this journey –
1. Season of His presence.
2. Season of his apparent absence.

Both are vital.
Both are good.
Both are necessary.
Both are God ordained.

There is so much to talk about when it comes to this journey we are on with the Father. Remember, its a journey of discovery. We are Discovering who He is for us and who we are to Him.

The destination is not God’s primary intention. Developing each and everyone of us as His sons and daughters while advancing His kingdom is.

Rom. 8.29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

My friend and his wife just finished the Chicago marathon and you know what they talk about the most – the journey to get there. Not the actual race.

You see we can get so fixated on the destination and obtaining Gods promise when in fact we miss the whole point – an intimate relationship with our Father.

We are part of a greater plan. A plan of Redemption. A divine plan of God transforming a people who were once orphans with an orphan mindset into a people of God that has been set apart to represent Him.

That’s you.
He chose you.
He has called you to be His own special, royal and holy people.

I know it doesn’t make sense. I know you can list the many reasons why you don’t qualify to be His son or daughter. And so could I. But that is not what God is asking us to do. He is looking for those who will surrender. For those who will simply believe that God can take anyone, someone like you and me and do something special in this world.

Each and everyone of us have been given an invitation to a deeper intimate relationship with the Father.

And Its free. But it costs everything.

Luke 17.33 (NKJV) Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Gods arms are open. The invite is for you. An invitation of a lifetime. To follow Him wherever He may lead. No matter how hard it may get or how awesome it may be, the invitation is to follow and to allow Him by His grace to develop you into His people.

The earth Is groaning for the manifestations of some and daughters.

This journey that we are on is one filled with many challenges but also great and precious promises. It’s a journey of faith and learning to trust God. Not sure why things always happen or why our perfect plans don’t seem to work out.

Regardless of what we may face and what trials we may encounter there is always HOPE!
A Hope that doesn’t fade.
A hope that is the anchor of our souls. (Heb. 6)
A hope that comes only from Jesus.

Hope of a new life.
Hope of a fresh start.
Hope of healing from pain.
Hope of freedom from addiction.
Hope of provision in the midst of lack.
Hope of knowing God will never leave me nor forsake me.
Hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Hope of eternity with our Father.

Psa. 31.24 (NKJV) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

Deep down, we all aspire to do great things but at times we feel daunted by the process of achieving them. Lil can I even make it. This is so hard. Whether we are experiencing disappointment, discouragement, or hopelessness around our dreams, the key is to learn how to Hope in the Lord again.

Our real battle is with our expectation. Paul called it the “good fight of faith”

1Tim. 6.12 (NKJV) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Hope is the anticipation of God’s goodness in your life.
of all He intends for us. This way of thinking allows us to cultivate expectation as a lifestyle in Christ.

But where does this Hope come from?
How it is developed or produced in my life?

It times to HOPE again.