Ray of Hope

What do Testimonies have in common?

"In 1986, I was in jail and heard God said trust him, i didn't understand what it meant but I have tried everything else and still messed up my life. So I gave God a try and invited him into my life. From the moment I learnt two things, I can not save my own life and that Jesus has taught me to love others by sharing the difference he made in my life. Currently witnessing to 100s of people from foreign and unreached places. Next place is the Amazons. God has change my life."

"One one day I lost my job and my health. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and Chlorestreol, I lost everything, ambition in life at the age of 32. Doctor put me on high dosage to lower sugar and Chlorestreol. My wife told me about "revival night" in two weeks time and initially I didn't want to go but in the two weeks God spoke to me and said "Go I will be there". All through the service I felt Jesus presence sitting beside me and hearing his comfort words and after teh service the Pastor placed his hand on me and said God has healed you, you will be protected by him, he has blessed your seed and made you successful man. When I got home i checked my readings and it was normal. The doctor was amazed at my condition and a week later my wife fell pregnant. "

"I was on holidays and was eating alot of carbohydrates and one day I experience diabetes mellictus which is excessive urination. It came to the point that I was loosing weight and the Docs werent able to understand why. One evening i happen to found tapes about Jesus and listened to it. The words in the tape convicted me and I accepted Jesus asking for his help for my condition. I was healed! "

There's a common thread to to these testimonies and its the message of HOPE.

Definition of HOPE given on google is this:
-have confidence and trust that it will happen
-wish/desire accompanied by confident expectation of fulfillment
-something/someone on which expectation is centered

Are we struggling to get up each morning, lacking joy and peace? not feeling fulfilled? Reasons for so:
-struggle with everyday tasks and chores
-burden with assignments, work, projects
-heavy ladened with relationship issues
-worried and anxious on waiting for answers

Sources of HOPE:
Where does your HOPE come from?
-From our self, self confidence and independency
-Encouragement and support by others
-what we have
-what we know and gifting

True Source of HOPE
Rom 15:13->God of Hope
Heb 11:7->hope in what is sure and certain not what is seen
Rom 5:1-2 -> Rejoice in hope
Heb 3:6-> hope in God
Psalms 42:5 -> place hope in God
Col 1:5->hope in heaven

Shared HOPE.
1 Thess 4:13 -> need to share hope
Heb 10:23 -> Hope, trust and faith unswervingly and firm
-HOPE in Jesus Christ
-HOPE in our life of the changes that has happen and will happen
-HOPE in looking forward to the future

Where is our HOPE place at? Place your hope in the right things as when we misplaced our hopes we will feel disappointed.