Hope has an answer
Scripture: “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” MSG version- 1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. NIV version- 1 Peter 3:15
HOPE HAS AN ANSWER!
Observation: One year ago, I created The Monday Mentor facebook group to encourage people beyond the church walls. I thought 30 people may be interested in participating. It turns out that many people were willing and READY TO GIVE ANSWERS that they’ve found to be life changing. Today I’m incredibly thankful to all the Monday Mentors who’ve contributed in 2020. All 52 devotions have been by men and women sharing courage to live the Christian life! Together we are continuing to prepare answers for those that need God’s wisdom in their Monday moments.
*The reason you need to have an answer ready is because not everyone will make their way into a church service. They will need to hear your reason. For hope. They might not know any preachers or church staff leaders but they know you. Your hope and the way you live is what will elicit questions from somebody else about purpose, answers, reasons…and God.
Application: We can utilize God’s great words to open our lives spiritually and tell a story that others will benefit from. We can simply tell someone that it’s God Who has shown us the way of life. He is our reason to hope. The Monday Mentors are a group of people getting personal stories and great truths out to the world. Join us in our mission taken from Mark 16:15-20 where Jesus inspires and instructs us to spread the Word and go everywhere announcing it. Our reason for living and hoping in God is that we know He will come through. We are not the people who are worrying 24/7 but we are the people hoping 24/7. We are not the people who hope in our own strength though. We are the people waiting on God’s power to become evident to others through us. We are not just observing God’s words, but we are applying them, praying them, declaring and experiencing them. We are celebrating others’ stories of redemption too.
Bonus Thoughts: We believe hope has answers, even if we haven’t yet reached the places we believe are promised to us. (Jer. 33:3) We will find those answers when we call on God. He is the God of hope. Calling out to Him brings Him close. Calling on God helps us find our calling. It brings direction. Answers. Reasons to keep hoping. The God of hope has the healing plan for us from whatever pain we’ve endured. Because you are putting your hope in Him, you will be renewed. (Isaiah 40:31) You’ll move up in this life. You will climb. You will increase. Our answer is this: Hope in God and God will be your hope! He’s our cause and explanation. We believe God is the answer you’re looking for. Remember this simple way to share hope: Launch (tell some people about The Monday Mentor devotions. Lunch (Initiate discussion during lunch hours and share the content. Linger (Spend some time in prayer during the week.)
Prayer: If you are needing answers, pray this: I pray for answers! Answers I’ve maybe never heard of before. I declare that my problems have solutions. We call on God and He gives answers. Peace is an answer. But even if they don’t come the way I want them to, I’ll trust Him to bring about the best results. I want to go to the top of what You’ve got for me and I know I can’t make it there by hoping in myself. We cannot be all we are meant to be just by trusting things to happen by our own hand, our own wit, and our own work! I pray for restored and rekindled hope Lord. For all that You have in store, bring hope back around to hearts in the areas that seem to have lost it. Amen!
Statements: I’m speaking up. God’s hope is changing my story. Instead of giving up, I’m going to give my very best to the cause. I’m giving an answer for the hope I have. Because He lives- He exists- I can face tomorrow!
Bio Wife to Derek. Mom to three great young men. Minister/Pastor’s wife at Saraland.church. Prophetic writing fromheretotheworld.org and you can find us on Destiny tv fuelfortoday.com , plus a NEW PODCAST with me and Derek coming this January.
- This is the format for The Monday Mentor Facebook group! You can submit a devotion to: Courtney@derekdraughon.com