Hope and Anchor for the Soul

A Christian thought to ponder...

Is your hope in Christ, or is your hope in the world? There are many false hopes in the world, but hope in Christ is true, constant, secure, and eternal. As Billy Graham once said, “For the believer, there is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.” Hope is found in the promise of freedom from sin through the death of Jesus Christ. 

In Hebrews 6:16-19a, the verse states that the Lord's promises are constant and unchangeable. We can find refuge in Him, and His promises give us hope. And this hope is an anchor for our souls.

 Hebrews 6:16-19a

"Now, when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question, that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls."

As Barnes once said, "Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing which an anchor does for a ship."  This anchor of hope is steady and immovable. It fastens those who believe in Christ to the promises of God. This hope helps strengthen the soul in the midst of storms and a tempestuous world. If you place your hope in men and this earth, you will only have misery and disappointment. The anchor's rope will become weak and frayed, eventually breaking, causing the ship to crash upon the rocks. If you place your hope in Christ, the anchor's rope will be steady and strong, not easily broken, keeping the ship safe and sound.

Our hope in Christ is secure and an anchor for our souls. It is glorious and a treasure to hold deep in your heart. May you place your hope in Christ and be filled with joy and peace.

Heavenly Father,

You are holy, merciful, faithful, and true. We thank you for Your word to help us navigate through this world. We thank you for your promises and that we have the hope in Jesus Christ to anchor our souls. Help us to always seek you, whether the storm is fierce or the weather is fair and calm, and place our trust in You. 

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Grace and peace to you all.

In Christ,

Carol

Good News

Image by MAG

Luke 2:10-11 "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

During these uncertain times, I hear many people saying that they are unhappy, and people are saying that there is no good news in their life right now. Many people are saying that there is nothing to be laughing about or to be joyful about. But I am telling you that there is something to be joyful about, during these uncertain times and that is the Good News. 

What is the Good News? The Good News is Jesus. Jesus, our great God, who became a man, and who died on the cross for us. He suffered terribly for us, for he was mocked, spitted upon, hit in the face, and was scourged. He loved us so much that he died on the cross to save us from our sins and to save us from the wrath that is to come. He bore our sins, our griefs, and our sorrows on the cross.  

And yet, people still say there is nothing to be joyful about? I am telling the world that there is plenty to be joyful about and that everyone should be shouting alleluia about it! And his name is Jesus, our Messiah, our Healer, our Lord, our King of Kings, our Victor over death, our Redeemer, and our Savior. In the book of Isaiah 53:5 (KJV), it says regarding Jesus Christ, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed."

Heavenly Father, 

I thank You for the great gift that was given to all Your people so many years ago. A gift that was announced through Your angelic host announcing the great news and bringing such great joy. Thank You for Jesus and for the joy and peace that floods all of our hearts who have found Him and accepted Him into our lives. 
Lord I pray for those who do not know Jesus that they would come to know Him personally and that they would be saved by Your grace by accepting Him into their lives. I pray that they would be able to experience the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding and that Your joy and peace would just flood their inner being. Amen.

Love and Blessings,
Carol