Episode 401

TODAY’S READING:

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

We are officially in the countdown, 12 days to Christmas. How exciting. Lights are twinkling, and gifts are being wrapped and placed under trees. Everyone is getting ready to spend some much-needed downtime with those they love.

 

I hope this morning we remember the hope we have in Jesus.

 

When we look around at our situations, I hope we know there is hope for a better tomorrow—a hope of a promised eternity. We are getting older every day. We say it a year; wow, this year flew by; I can’t believe it’s Christmas already. The truth is, life is but a second in the grand scheme of it all. Think about how many lives have lived, how many generations before you, and how many generations will live beyond you.

 

Time will keep going, but something beautiful awaits us at the end of our long years. Hope beyond the grace. It was Billy Graham who said it:

 

“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.”

 

Sometimes we feel like we are met with the grave in different seasons. That’s what this last month has been for me. Between the car accident and then the rough week I had last week at home – you all know I sounded defeated. But this time spent together in the mornings helps us all put on the posture of gratitude, it helps us put on the armor of God, and it helps us lean on our faith, in the peace that transcends all understanding, and it gives us hope that as we get older and wiser, the best is still yet to come. 

 

PRAYER

Father God, we love you; thank you for sending us your son to give us hope. We thank Him for reminding us that as the years pass and as we get wiser, hope is still the rock we hold onto. I hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for life everlasting with you. Lord, in this season, we want to lean in a little closer. Lord, speak to us and show us what you like us to see. It is in your Holy name that we pray, AMEN!