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There’s Still Hope

DSCN2571The news of late has been unbearable. The search for loved ones lost in the unexplained disappearance of a 777, a square-mile mudslide, and now a sunken ferry has left so many with a loss of hope. Yet what we see and hear in the repetition of daily news only mirrors the tragic losses that cast deep shadows on all of our lives.

As we once again remember what happened on the third day after our God died, its an occasion to remember what is so easy to forget. The breaking news of the women who found the grave empty would eventually lead to the best find of all.  Hope based on a discovery personal and certain enough to both live and die for… (1Cor 13:13)…


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46 Responses to “There’s Still Hope”

  1. SFDBWV says:

    I seen this morning where the death toll is now at 52 from the ferry boat disaster. I seen yesterday where they had arrested the boats captain.

    I can only imagine how the captain must feel. Now they are looking for someone to punish for the deaths of so many.

    Whether criminally negligent or just bad judgment the captain of the boat is responsible. What punishment will bring back one single life that has already been lost?

    If you consider life on earth as one long voyage, who is the captain?

    Who took the punishment for all the lost souls?

    Who has made a way for all the lost to be returned not only to their loved ones, but to a glorious new life?

    Happy Easter.

    Steve

  2. saled says:

    Yes, Mart, what we see and hear in the daily news does mirror
    the tragic losses that cast deep shadows on all of our lives.

    I sometimes thought that Paul had it wrong in I Cor. 13:13: it sometimes seems like hope is more important than love. Maybe it is just that it is hard to separate the two.

    My Dad did not live his life as a Christian. It was on his death bed that he “made a confession” or “was saved” in the words of the religion most dominant in our small town. I don’t base my hope for him on that confession: I base it on the One that we are celebrating today.

    Yes, hope is so important. It’s a beautiful Easter morning in my part of Maine. I just watched an eagle soar over the church and town hall and then over my garden. It’s like he came to celebrate with us. After such a long hard winter, this Easter morning seems hopeful indeed.

  3. quietgrace says:

    HALLELUJAH! Christ is risen!

  4. Artle says:

    In one respect, I sorrow at the losses and the trials and turmoil of those who are left. I anguish over those around me who seem lost. But I have to believe what I believe and I believe the Word of God and in the Light of His Word, I have no sorrow at all and no concern for anyone for any reason.

    Every day is a Risen Day.

  5. oneg2dblu says:

    Steve… I loved your words of it being better to live for Christ then to die for Him.
    Then, Galatians 2:20 came to mind, and I realized we really can’t live for Him until we first die to self. So, making our dying to self as a dying for Him, spiritually speaking of course.
    On the cross is where we see that Christ had to give up His Spirit before He died physically, Luke 23:46.
    “To die for Christ is to live!”
    Happy Resurrection to all, Gary

  6. quietgrace says:

    Artle, at first I was startled by your post at 9:44am, but after thinking about it for the last couple hours I want to say thank you! You have put what started out as a very bad day because of rejection from those I love in a whole new perspective. Spiritually, my faith is strong and firm, but we still have to live with emotions. Getting to look at things beyond the emotion standing on the shoulders of a wise person helps to put the emotions at bay. Truth always overcomes even the worst of emotions. Thank you Jesus, and thank you Artle for pointing me in the correct direction.
    Today is a celebration of what does happen every day. Jesus is risen. Whether we celebrate alone, or, with lots of people. And thank you all, my online church!

  7. poohpity says:

    Amen Mart, my hope is found for life and in the death of this old torn down tent to a future Glory only found in the meaning of that empty tomb. That hope never disappoints but gives us cause to go into the world to share what Jesus did for all.

    If there are any who think they are Christians because their parents were or just because they go to church, please consider this day to accept Jesus Christ and believe in Him. Anytime we have caused harm to others or ourselves we have sinned and are separated from God but Jesus came to die for our sins(past, present, future) as He bore every one of them in His sinless body in the 3 hours of darkness separating Him from the Father(Matt 27:46 NLT) until the atonement was finished (John 19:30 NLT) then restoration (Luke 23:46 NLT) to gain our forgiveness. Then on the third day was raised from the grave (Matt 28:6-7 NLT). It is in believing this to be true that one is saved. (Romans 10:9-11 NLT)

    Our hope is found in nothing less than Jesus Christ, our blessed redeemer, who payed the penalty so that we may have eternal life. No greater love was ever shown which is where our hope lies in heaven away from the corruption of flesh. We not only celebrate that this day but every day for the rest of this life.

  8. Artle says:

    Thank you Grace for listening. You have your Father’s ears.

  9. cbrown says:

    I was not going to leave these comments because today is such a special day as we celebrate the Risen Savior but Praise the Lord for His Love. Thank you for your prayers
    for the the prison ministries.Here is an answer.

    I come with great joy as I share an exciting event in my life today. I visit a Florida Department of Corrections unit in a local hospital on a regular basis. Today I came to a room and found the inmate reading his Bible. I cheerfully greeted him saying, “You are reading a great book today.” He looked up and asked if I were a minister. When I told him that I was he bursted into tears. He said he had been praying that a minister would come visit him. He is completely paralyzed and was just informed that his body was eaten up with cancer and he did not have long to live.

    He said he had been a Christian for three years and had not had been baptized. He knew he was headed for heaven but was concerned that he had not had a chance to be obedient to the Lord’s command to be baptized. I allowed him to tell of his experience of salvation and I saw fruits of his salvation through his testimony. So I had the wonderful opportunity to perform my first “sprinkling baptism. ” A correctional officer who used to be a security officer at our church was with me. He got me a bowl of warm water. Then with tears of joy from the 3 of us I baptized the young man “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ” The officer said this was the most beautiful baptism he had ever witnessed.

    Through the years as a Florida DOC chaplain and baptizing hundreds of inmate men and women this baptism will be the one that will linger in my heart for the rest of my life. This young man will soon enter the gates of heaven with the joy of having been obedient to this command of our Lord. What a joy it was for me to have had this blessing in my life as well.

  10. quietgrace says:

    Cbrown thank you and what a thrill to read! You have made my day even more special! blessings, Grace

  11. cbrown says:

    Quietgrace please see below.Here is another Easter Praise Report!
    The Prison Ministry Team went into 3 prisons this weekend resulting in 151 inmates accepting Christ as Savior and 221 others making decisions for rededication.

  12. cbrown says:

    The comment above about the baptism was shared by the Pastor who leads our Prison Ministry Team,

  13. quietgrace says:

    Wow! So encouraging to hear good results and in only 3 prisons! Will always keep praying!

  14. poohpity says:

    Artle, I guess I have never desired to be without sorrow. Sorrow is a feeling that most mankind has when we suffer loss of some form or another for others or ourselves it keeps me humbled, concerned and empathic towards others. Lack of sorrow means a lack of grief. Sorrow leads to repentance and godly sorrow leads us to dependence on God.

  15. poohpity says:

    Praising God for using you cbrown and the others in His ministry.

  16. SFDBWV says:

    Hanging on the wall in my kitchen to the right of my back door is one of several Bible quotes I have displayed around our home.

    “Now faith is the substance of things *hoped* for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

    Romans 8:24 says “For we are saved by *hope*:”

    Hope becomes our last stand, for even as we go down to the grave, *hope* is still with us.

    I have seen death in its many forms and all are unpleasant to watch, but there is no death as heartbreaking as the death of *hope*.

    I have also seen hopelessness in the eyes of another, yet even in that window to the soul hopelessness is a cry for rescue.

    Romans 8:26, 27 gives us hope that even when all seems lost and we don’t even know what to say, God will make a way for us to voice His will in prayer. As God’s will, will be done.

    Steve

  17. quietgrace says:

    Good morning all!
    This morning I awoke to Romans 5:5 ASV going through my mind. Awesome! Hope does NOT disappoint! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Holy Spirit! Thank you God for pouring your love into our hearts. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
    May all find hope in His love, Grace

  18. oneg2dblu says:

    Good day all… Hope springs eternal, it never dies, because “There is always room for Hope.”

    When we read the prayer of Habakkuk we see where his hope lies in spite of all circumstances:
    Habakkuk 3:17,18,19
    “Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
    though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
    though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
    yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my savior.
    The sovereign Lord is my strength
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    He enables my to go on the heights.”

    In that prayer, Hope springs eternal.
    Gary

  19. Artle says:

    The entire bible is God’s Word saying, “Trust me. Do not worry. I have you.”, and God said all of it before I or anyone else alive knew He even existed. So, if I believe His Word, what is there to be concerned about?

    I’m not saying I do not have concern, sorrow or grief. Just that I do not need to have them, and when I remember to trust His Word, they are simply gone, pushed aside by the overwhelming presence of the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 26:3-4 NASB

  20. oneg2dblu says:

    The NIV which I wrote out, is my favorite version because it was the one I was exposed to first, so it is my first love of those words that had impacted me so greatly.
    They raise me up every time I read them.
    Gary

  21. poohpity says:

    God seems to embrace our humanity so much so that in His incarnation every emotions we have He shared in and showed us by His example it is OK. “Jesus wept” His sorrow is our sorrow, embrace rather than attempt to do something we are incapable of doing. When people struggle against experiencing emotion they end up being very cold, callus and hardhearted.

  22. poohpity says:

    Ecc 3:4 NIV; Matt 5:4 NIV; Ro 12:15 NIV; James 4:9-10 NIV

    Gary, that is an excellent passage about our hope being in the Lord and not determined be our circumstances.

  23. poohpity says:

    by not be, lol!

  24. poohpity says:

    Artle, I get it when it is applied to worry or fear but not sorrow or concern.

  25. quietgrace says:

    Whatever emotion we are experiencing, when embraced and offered up to God instead of holding on to it is when God’s Light makes it all ok. Better than ok, because of the hope/trust we have in a God who works in all things for good. Blessings, Grace

  26. Artle says:

    What burden of ours is He incapable of carrying? What burden has He not already removed and yet we struggle with Him daily?

    Isaiah 53:4 NASB

    Matthew 11:28-30 NASB

    1 Peter 5:7 NASB
    The Amplified version reads: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

  27. oneg2dblu says:

    He gives us strength for today, and a bright hope for tomorrow.
    “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
    Jeremiah 29:11

  28. poohpity says:

    Artle, there is no burden that He is incapable of carrying. What you said was, ” in the Light of His Word, I have no sorrow at all and no concern for anyone for any reason.” I was simply saying I do not believe His word teaches us that in fact it teaches us to share sorrow, to have sorrow and to show concern and have concern that does not mean we are not trusting it means we are compassionate and empathic just as Jesus is. We may not share the same definition for sorrow or concern that may be where we are missing what the other is saying. It is fine if you have no sorrow or concern for any reason for anyone that is you but I do not share the thought that that is from God’s Word we will have to agree to disagree on that one.

  29. Artle says:

    Pooh, your quote of my thought is taken out of the context of the entire comment.

    I will endeavor to better convey my original thoughts shortly.

    Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

  30. Artle says:

    Pooh, my sorrows and concerns are my burdens and I have no problem handing them off to Jesus. My sorrow is His sorrow and since He carries my burden, I have no burden left to carry. Maybe that is a better way to say it, but the end result, when I remember Jesus, is that I effectively have no sorrow.

    You mentioned compassion which I had not. The word “concern” in my comments is related to worry and not compassion.

  31. SFDBWV says:

    I still get a newspaper delivered every morning even though I also read the news on the internet. In both cases there are news stories on going all the time that are just catastrophic and horrific.

    There are also plenty of editorials written by people who watch current events and try to make sense of them as well as alert us to what’s right and wrong with our developing cultures.

    Using that old adage, “is the glass half empty or half full”, seems to be how people see current events.

    I admit I am always looking for the hand of God in every matter on-going around me and around the globe.

    From such a base I can see that the world is getting increasingly more evil, that good traditions and common sense are being replaced with foolishness setting the stage for disastrous results.

    There are some who are sounding the alarm, but the warnings seems to be falling on deaf ears.

    So is there hope for where the world is headed?

    According to the Word of God there is hope, but it arrives after a terrible tribulation and not for everyone.

    In what seems a reversal of God’s actions, the ark in the flood of Noah was built and filled with only Noah and his family. Noah because he found grace in the eyes of the Lord, his family as a means to repopulate the earth and as a gift to Noah.

    The Ark of our salvation is offered to everyone, not just one righteous man and through this Ark all are invited to escape the coming tribulation, all that is needed is to accept the invitation as all are given grace.

    So there is hope for all who have accepted Jesus as Lord, but a time when once the mark of the beast is accepted there is no more hope for that one.

    Or is there?

    God is the final Judge of all, can those not covered by the blood of Jesus *hope* to receive mercy and grace from the one who died to offer it to them?

    Steve

  32. poohpity says:

    In an interview with Billy Graham he was asked if the world was worse now than it ever has been. Billy directed the interviewer to think about that we have more access to media now than ever before so with that it is now brought more to the forefront but that the world has not changed much. Then said to think about in America before it was the nation that neighbor was pitted against neighbor in the civil war and there was much more blood shed and then World War II when millions died.(glass half empty) He went to hundreds of countries and brought them the “Good News” there are more Christians now than there ever has been.(glass half full)

    We can fill our minds with the bad news that the media delivers, which is what their job is, in the morning or we can fill our minds with the “Good News” which imparts hope. When we concentrate on the bad news we become disillusioned, depressed and cynical which may be why Paul instructed us in Phil 4:8-9 NLT so that the peace of God will be with you even when everything around looks horrible.

  33. poohpity says:

    In a majority of David’s Psalms he pours his heart out to God holding nothing back that he feels or thinks, sharing burdens, struggles and by the end of his talks his focus goes back unto God which raises and lifts his very soul crying out in Hallelujah choruses. Nothing has really changed yet but when he puts his hope in God everything looks brighter as he recalls how many times God has come to the rescue as David the mighty warrior rests under the wings of his Creator. David understands that in and of his self he can do nothing but give it all to God.

  34. blestsparrow says:

    Solomon said “there is nothing new under the sun” human nature is still human nature. This Easter I went alone to the Easter 8 a.m. worship service. Very difficult to do since for the past 33 years my husband was always by my side whom now is rejoicing in the presence of Christ.
    As the Pastor shared his message he said many good truths, but the one which resonated into my heart and soul was about……… when the Angels asked those who were seeking for Christ in the Empty Tomb… the Angel said ” he is not here, he as risen, why seek ye the living among the dead”
    Last year when I went to the cemetery to remove the dead wilted flowers from my husband’s grave, as I was walking towards the trash barrel to dispose of them…. that same precious voice resonated so vividly into my heart “why seek ye here the living among the dead, he is not here” What a glorious and wonderful blessing.

    My heart breaks for the recent tradgedy’s across the globe, (mudslides / avalanch/ Ferry tradgey and the lost plane with all those on board)…..but if we have hope only in this life we are of all men most miserable. I do so pray and hope those who went out into eternity knew that we have a Risen Savior, a Risen Lord and that we can sorrow not as those who have no hope. There is an empty tomb !

  35. quietgrace says:

    Blestsparrow what a beautiful story you shared. Thank you so much for your witness to the truth as told in scripture and also written on the hearts of those who know Him. My condolences to you for your loss. God bless the memory of your husband. Grace

  36. remarutho says:

    Good Morning All –

    Pooh, yesterday morning, you wrote:

    “Nothing has really changed yet but when he puts his hope in God everything looks brighter as he recalls how many times God has come to the rescue as David the mighty warrior rests under the wings of his Creator. “

    Thank-you for that. It seems we face the discouragement of “bad news” in the media – or perhaps worse, absurdity and superficiality – day after day.

    My take-away from the Easter sermon was Mary Magdalene visiting the grave-site early in the morning. (John 20) Did she go to grieve – to pray – or did the Holy Spirit urge her to go? Perhaps a bit of each. She is turned toward this empty grave, weeping and regretting Jesus’ disappearance. Then, she is interrupted by Jesus himself. It was profound to me on Sunday that Mary did not recognize her Lord at first. How often have I fixated on some gruesome bit of information, and missed entirely God’s plan – God’s will in the matter?

    He asks her, “Whom are you looking for?” (John 20:15) When Mary finally stops seeking something in the grave, she turns her back on the stone slab, the linen wraps and the oppression of death, Jesus says her name, “Mary!”

    I am with you, Blestsparrow, in listening and watching for Jesus’ presence with us we are given hope and strength for today.

    Blessings,
    Maru

  37. Artle says:

    Pooh, your thoughts about David echo part of what I was attempting to communicate two days ago. Though nothing had changed for David, everything had changed and giving it all to God is what made the difference.

    The difference between sorrow and no sorrow, between peace and no peace, between sin and no sin and even between life and no life is Jesus.

  38. quietgrace says:

    Good morning all!
    After a few nights of tossing and turning and waiting and hoping God has brought me to the point of being able to turn around and see all the things He and He alone has brought me through. It is such a blessing when someone-like Artle- meets with you in your valley and offers a view that only a loving friend could offer, that of being able to see the future while still up to your neck in, uh, grief. Or ****, whatever your mood happens to be at the time.

    Such an amazing God we have that offers hope in the midst of anything life can throw at us; how Mary must have felt when Jesus said, “Mary”.

    May you all hear your name from His lips today,
    Blessings, Grace

  39. poohpity says:

    All people of Israel still had not accepted David as King only part but David continued to share his sorrow, grief and troubles with the Lord before the process(sharing emotions)took him to hope and praise. Later in his life he still had those emotions it did not keep him from having them but each time he took them to his God. If we do not have sorrow how can we be comforted by the Lord and just because we have received comfort one time does not stop sorrow from happening again. God created us with emotions and so they seem to be good. Being ruled by them is not trusting God but that does not mean that sorrow does not have a place in our lives.

    Because we have Christ in our lives does not stop us from sinning completely that is where sorrow has one of it’s places in our lives and the peace comes knowing that even when we sin God is faithful to forgive us and sorrow leads to repentance. When we believe in the saving work of the Cross that gives us hope in an eternal future.

    Sorrow also is part of grieving and grieving is good it shows we loved and have been loved. Concern shows we care, worry shows we do not trust.

    Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death before he went to the Cross. He knew what the end result would be but that did not keep Him from sorrow. (Matt 26:38 NIV; Mark 14:34 NIV) Jesus felt sorrow/concern for Jerusalem/Israel but still had hope. (Luke 13:31 NIV; Matt 23:37-39 NLT)

  40. poohpity says:

    Maru, I think Mary went with purpose to finish the burial ritual and the grief process had overwhelmed her that she had forget what Jesus had shared.(Mark 16:1-3 NLT) I know soon after I have lost someone all the preparation busies our minds so that we may not be thinking as we normally do. After the angels spoke to her/them they ran to tell the disciples in their frightened and bewildered state but Jesus did not let them continue like that He intervened (Matt 28:8-10 NLT). They seemed to be experiencing all kinds of emotions of which included joy but their fears were calmed when Jesus spoke and we have that same privilege as he speaks to us one way through His Word everyday. To calm our fears and give us peace.

  41. quietgrace says:

    Our living hope!
    I Peter 1:2-12 NIV explains fully the purpose of our suffering. Suffering is never easy, or fun or whatever, but as Christians we endure to prove our faith is real. I would have died long ago, had it not been for the hope I have in a future resurrection, because of Christ’s resurrection. And, because Christ saw fit to rescue me from death, both physical and spiritual, many times over.

  42. poohpity says:

    I thought when I first started this journey living in Christ that it meant I would be free from trails and suffering and I learned quickly that that was not true. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong but I soon learned that at times just because of our faith in Jesus that at times life actually gets a little tougher since we go against the grain of the world but we are not alone and do not have to face it on our own. We have the strength and power from above so those verses Grace are a beautiful reminder that there is more to our lives than what we experience in the here and now. Nothing goes without the touch of the Master who knows how to turn it all around for our benefit. Talk about hope. That brought about a big smile to my face and a warm glow to my heart and Peter would be one to know.

  43. Artle says:

    Pooh et al, I am convinced, while our temporal thoughts may wander diverse at times, our spiritual thoughts converge. The thing is they are actually not our thoughts, but His. In Christ, we exist. Apart from Christ, we exist not.

    Comes to mind the song by Michael Combs, “It Ain’t Me”.

  44. Artle says:

    Those who venture into His presence cease to exist apart from Christ. No true enemy can walk where we walk together with Him. They cannot even see the path or the garden where it leads.

    The struggle we have is whether to walk His path or ours. It is the only true struggle we have. Choose His path and there are no more struggles. It is not an easy path to choose, but an easy path to walk. There is no doubt that this is true.

  45. quietgrace says:

    Artle I agree as I find most of the difficulties in my life is when He asks me to give up things I hold dear. But, once I let go, I find His yoke IS easy and His burden IS light; even if my circumstances don’t change as I’d like. It is a process for sure and I see clearly what you are talking about.
    Lord Jesus have mercy on us all. Give us the grace to let-go of earthly things and cling to You. In Your name, Amen

  46. poohpity says:

    If it were easy to walk God’s path then what would be the need for spiritual armor, self control or endurance? If one feels the path of Christ is easy then I would ask maybe if one is not more like the world than an alien only passing through? A life without struggle is a life without growing faith or undeveloped perseverance, to me.

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