HOPE

Rejoice in the hope of that glory to be revealed, for it is no uncertain glory that we look for. Our hope is not hung upon such an untwisted thread as, "I imagine so," or "It is likely," but the cable, the strong tow of our fastened anchor, is the oath and promise of Him who is eternal verity. Our salvation is fastened with God's own hand, and with Christ's own strength, to the strong stake of God's unchangeable nature. Samuel Rutherford

I always wonder what hope someone has without Christ in their lives? A lot of the times when problems seep into the lives the of lost, they will resort to prayer, I know I did when I was not saved. Even though I did pray I still remember feeling at some sort of loss. I remember the only time I really reached out to God, is when I was down and out and when things turned around I felt it was God that fixed those problems. I know the bible teaches that God does not hear the prayers of the lost but I know He uses certain things or certain people in our lives to draw us to Him. I just know one thing is that that before I was saved there was a feeling of hopelessness in me. . When the Lord drew me and I was saved life seemed so much different. I had hope, I had someone that I could go to anytime and I know He listens to my pain and hurts and shared in my joy. My Father, My Teacher, My Lord loves me like no one else will love me. He knows me for who I am and still loves me. He is slowly molding me into His image.

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Psalm 55:22.

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. -- Ps. 71:20

"Child of My Love! Lean hard! Let Me feel the pressure of your care. I know your burden, child! I shaped it- I poised it in My own hand and made no proportion of its weight to your unaided strength. For even as I laid it on, I said I shall be near, and while she leans on Me, this burden shall be Mine, not hers. So shall I keep My child within the circling arms of My own love. Here lay it down! Do not fear to impose it on a shoulder which upholds the government of worlds! Yet closer come! You are not near enough! I would embrace your burden, so I might feel My child reposing on My breast. You love Me! I know it. Doubt not, then. But, loving me, lean hard!"

"I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the cross......In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statute of Buddha - - his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agony of the world. But each time, after awhile, I have had to turn away. And in imagination, I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross -- nails through his hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me ! He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in light of his. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross, which symbolizes divine suffering. The cross of Christ is God's only self justification in such a world as ours." John Stott

I am so thankful I have eternal hope, thanks to what Christ accomplished on the cross for us.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." Revelation 21:4

Cristina