God is a God of Hope, so His people need to be full of it! We are to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. We should not think that this is just a matter of giving the church a ‘feel good’ factor, although there is nothing wrong with that, since God has given us so much to feel good about. Hope raises faith and expectation from God, and mobilizes us as a people to do the will of God. It is absolutely vital. Hope gives our prayer life vitality and impetus, so that we pray with power and passion. Hope causes us to engage with God and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Hope causes us to engage with God as the God of Hope Who meets our need TODAY. Hope gives us the stimulus to minister the love of God to people so that their needs are met. It brings the power of the Kingdom of God to them. Hope releases the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the church. Hope releases the power of God into our needy world.

The Lord Jesus taught us that the devil comes to steal, kill and to destroy - to rob people of hope so that they give up. The Lord Jesus comes to us to bring us abundant life. This life is in Him, and it is brimming over with hope for the future. That’s why the Scripture says:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).   

God has amazing plans for us - both in this life and the next! And the Holy Spirit brings us into these things as we keep our eyes firmly on the Lord Jesus, the Source of all hope and life. It seems to me we can make church more friendly and welcoming just by being considerate and showing appreciation when someone has blessed us. It doesn’t cost us much to say ‘Thank you,’ but it can make a big difference to the person being thanked. The Bible tells us about a man called Joseph, who was a Levite from Cyprus. He was such an encouragement to the apostles that they called him Barnabas, which means ‘Son of Encouragement’. What an enormous compliment they paid him. He was a generous man who helped the Christian community. Later on he was numbered among the apostles (Acts14: 14). He prospered in his faith as he acted with thoughtful kindness. The Scripture tells us about a Roman soldier called Cornelius (Acts 10). We are told that his prayers and gifts to the poor were such that God took notice of him. God DOES notice what we do. Every act of kindness and encouragement will be rewarded. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that even a cup of cold water given to one of His disciples will be rewarded (Matthew10: 42). Are you a Barnabas, a Son of Encouragement? What a ministry you can exercise for God. There is no doubt that churches grow and missions prosper because of people like him. Such people will be high on heaven’s role of honour. - Ian Gardner.

"Dear Father, I come to You in that most Blessed Name of Jesus, that name that fills me with all hope and assurance to know that I can completely trust in You. Help me to see that I can impart and inspire hope into others as I will let Your Holy Spirit and Presence flow through my life. It is such an honour to know You, Lord Jesus, and to know that You have personally come into my life to be part of the answer and not part of the problem. Therefore I will continue to rise in hope, and to encourage and inspire others to do the same. I love You, Lord Jesus, and thank You for all You have placed within my life. In Jesus' name, I pray these things, Amen."

The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, , New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.