Without hope there’s no fullness of life.  It makes a broken world a more habitable place, enlivening the church with faith, for Christ is the center of its experience.  Christians are blessed with hope-filled minds as they live in the world.  To believers it’s like faith.  Faith is gained in living by the dogged pursuit of the Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Once converted, believers are caught up in the spirit, and blessed by our heavenly physician of souls.

An inventor – one of the most productive of his time, Thomas Edison (1847–1931) remarked, “Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”  Edison thought we must be dogged about our commitments to persevere to have the best results.  Inspiration like a mustard seed is enough for exceptional achievements.

Human Spirit

By initiating love and being loved are excellent virtues.  With the beloved, love drives fervent hope.  It’s never changes and doesn’t lose hope.  We’ll not want to be derived of this hope of living in Christ.  It’s the everlasting flame that’s good and just.  Just be inspired by hope!  Live righteously and reach out to the world around you.  Put on the cloak of patience, for a heavenly consolation awaits you.  With each deed you’ll become symbols of heavenly grace in our communities, by blessing the earth with your presence.  We must hunger for the heavenly gifts, for they are just and right.  Pray daily, storm the gates of heaven when seeking God’s blessings.

Francis Bacon (1561–1626), an English philosopher and statesman observed, “The inquiry of truth, which is love-making, or the wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature.”  This is God who brings us to the gracious truth becoming active in lives.

The Lord’s Light

Be concerned especially for young children who are innocently living in the world.  Use hope as one of your godly weapons to trust in God.  Remember issues that affect the weak have spiritual implications.  To be truly blessed, calls for steadfastness in every enterprise we undertake in God’s name.  With the fruits of patience strive to promote goodness to all people.  These actions often take courage, for there will be evil forces endeavoring to hinder our work.  It’s impossible to control evil, although we can counter it with God’s help.  As we do so we’re expressing his love for mankind.

Then we could declare like Charles Wesley (1701–1788), an English Methodist hymn-writer, and brother of John Wesley:

Jesu, thou art all compassion,

Pure unbounded love thou art;

Visit us with thy salvation,

Enter every trembling heart.

A Spiritual Force

God’s hope is a force against principalities and powers.  The rulers of darkness can never have true hope.  They are robbed of this because of their devious behavior and actions.  Believers should bear patiently with onslaught, and bring their deeds before God.  So be rich in heavenly wisdom.  In proclaiming the truth you oppose errors in judgment, by doing acts of righteousness.  Such experiences build confidence when living on planet earth.  Be assured that the wicked have no place in heaven.

Edmund Burke (1729–1797), an Anglo-Irish statesman wrote, “The use of force is but temporary.  It may subdue for a moment, but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again.” Temporary force is what tyrants put their trust in.  But true Christian hope is marked by everlasting joy, peace and contentment.  Always be inspired by the hope of God that will be the salvation of souls.

 

Along with the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.  Christ was crucified and exalted and now sits at the right hand of his Father.  Christ’s birth was divinely inspired but he came into the world through his mother Mary.  He was baptized by John the Baptist and pursued an earthly ministry.  We Christians are the body of Christ and he’s the head of the church.  On the feast of Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit the church began.  Thousands were baptized as Christians.  Only God is perfect, who’s our universal leader.

Mia Hamm (b. 1972), a retired soccer player remarked, “I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”  In this statement Hamm must have been thinking about soccer, but much of it is true of the church of which we’re all a part.

A Source of Life

Some Christians have come to know the power of God’s anointing in their ministries.  Only through him do we rise to what it means to be godly.  Jesus is the one who we should follow this was demonstrated in his ministry.  All things that characterize God’s rule we must imitate.  During his earthly ministry he showed us how faith and the spirit work together.  Believers in knowing Christ are led into deeper spiritual experiences.  This is the only true way to become spirit-filled evangelists.  .

This spirit exists everywhere.  We’re edified by Christians we meet, who profess the faith.  Bill Gates (b. 1955), a computer business magnate observed, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”  Even in unhappiness customers reveal Christ in a broken world.

False Inspiration

People know false inspiration when it’s evil.  Those who dabble in falsehoods work against the promises of God.  These may end up in grave spiritual danger.  It’s the bad spirit that has taken hold of them that doesn’t build up the body of Christ.  Evil spirits are known for their dissension and bitterness.  These teachings are in accordance with the Scriptures.  Albert Camus (1913–1960), a French Nobel Prize winning philosopher said, “The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding.”

Professions of Faith

Faith calls for a commitment to Jesus Christ and being aglow in his divinity.   As children of God, you’re blessed with a willing spirit.  You have come to know the timeless principles and are dedicated to the Word of God.  The fire of the Holy Spirit fills your lives with good things, and you walk in the light.

Vince Lombardi (1913–1970), a football player and coach realized, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”  Living a life for Christ, and obeying his commandments are the epitome of believers’ excellence, in living successful lives.

What are some perspectives on human lives?  Humans can be noble, dignified, and for these gifts we‘re grateful to Almighty God.  We however have distorted natures.  For, from birth we have been biologically tainted.  One such sin is racism that has permeated our flesh.  Jackie Robinson (1919–1972), the first African American major league baseball baseman said: “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me … All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”  Robinson’s thoughts about being human were more than just his skin color.

God Created Man

More than 10,000 years ago, it was a glorious act when God created man.  Mankind was the pinnacle of his creative effort.  Humankind in his very nature had a reflective awareness.  Throughout the ages, men and women have been engaged in aesthetic endeavors.  They have witnessed great and bad leaders who have ruled powerful nations.  We are also gifted with a metaphysical nature, have multiplied, and exercised sovereignty over God‘s creation.  Humans were created in God’s image and have dominion over other species on planet earth.

Alexandra Stoddard (b. 1941), an author, well-known interior designer and lifestyle philosopher expressed her happiness of the gifts with which she has been endowed: “Being a mother and grandmother is the best of the best of my life.  My grandchildren multiply the joy my daughters bring me.”

A Human Being

Mankind is the apex of God’s handiwork.  They have anatomical similarities with his creatures, are well-known for language, and their tool-making culture.  They are more than “naked apes.” They live with a shared responsibility – not only for fellow human beings, but to all of God’s creation.

Jim Rohn (1930–2009), an entrepreneur and author known for his “rags to riches” story, observed, “You must take personal responsibility.  You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.  That is something you have charge of.”  Rohn recognized that God gave us a free will.  As we grow we learn to make decisions for ourselves.  Real growth isn’t just physical, intellectual and emotional, but spiritual too.  For the greatest growth Christians look to Christ who’s the arbiter and provider of all things.

Theory of Life

Humankind is God-breathed.  Within their beings there are living souls.  In our lives there has always been a spirit-body connection.  To put it another way – we’re physical and non-physical beings.  We have physical bodies, intellects, families and souls.  For Christians know these truths when they promote brotherly and sisterly love.  To them, life has no end because it’s everlasting.

Oprah Winfrey (b. 1954), a media proprietor, talk show host, and philanthropist urged her audience to: “Breathe.  Let go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”  Winfrey’s remarks bring her fans to this realization of their presence.  In the present time we may only think of a physical reality.  But our future is spiritual.  In the Gospels, Christians are assured of an everlasting life.  They have faith about what the future holds for them.  The flesh passes away but our souls live on in eternity.  The faithful knows that there’s a greater reality beyond this present time.

 

Our true home isn’t on earth.  It’s definitely not in this world where there’s an earthly display of dwellings in different sizes.  To find our real home people need to be strengthened and enlightened in heavenly ways. They must be worthy of true love by our Maker, by knowing the truth and mysteries of faith, and abiding in God’s authentic commandments.  We should learn to forgive our friends and enemies alike.  Lack of forgiveness will rob us from finding our precious gift in heaven.

In attaining spiritual gifts people are illuminated with clean minds and hearts.  Through the power of prayer they will arrive at their heavenly home.  This journey calls for patience and perseverance.   Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius (551 B.C.– 497 B.C.) taught, “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”  Confucius was speaking about our earthly home but true strength through integrity could only be found in our spiritual home, heaven.

Our Earthly Home

Our earthly homes are wrecked by the horrors of sin – death, disease, malnutrition, poverty and hunger.  Those who fight wars do so at their own risk for these combatants face alarming spiritual obstacles.  While on earth we’re bombarded by bad examples that spell death.  Most people are led astray by worldly enticements they don’t even realize.  What we find are needless sufferings with angry nations rising up against each other.  These experiences mean sacrifices of blood, sweat and tears.  When we undertake our daily tasks there’s a lack of self-control, because we live in impatient societies where instant gratification is the norm.  Such mediocrity of lifestyles can only lead to the loss of our heavenly home as our final destination.

Elizabeth Kȗbler-Ross (1926–2004), a Swiss-American psychiatrist and pioneer in near-death studies, observed, “The beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.”  Despite how the dire our world’s situation may look, there’s always hope attested to by Kȗbler-Ross.  We are still able to find our way out of these perils.

A Willing Spirit

To be above these deadly realities in our world believers should spread what’s good.  They must be effective instruments touching others wherever they go.  It calls for taking up our crosses and for us to keep pushing on for the ultimate prize.  Such a Christian mission should be undertaken with gladness of hearts.  After sinning confess to Almighty God and be sure you’re forgiven.  In so doing you’ll be declaring yourself as trusting souls to others.  By sustaining a willing spirit, realizing the truth will set you free, this should be your goal.  With such an act you’ll be honoring the Most High in your ministry. Carlos Santana (b. 1947), a Mexican and American musician observed, “The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart.  The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.”  Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948), a preeminent leader of India’s independence movement against the British, found, “Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love.  Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear of punishment.”  As we walk in this conflicted world, Christians should be armed with the weapon of love.

Our Eternal Home

After a life of faithful service our eternal home will be our gift.  It isn’t the service itself that gets us into paradise but the grace of God freely given to us.  To believers service is an outpouring of the spirit made manifest through good acts and deeds.  In paradise believers are blessed with unending and everlasting joy.  With deliverance there’s profound happiness where all the Angels of Light will delight in the splendor of holiness.  And, we’ll end up saying like Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), a Bengal artist: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy.  I woke up and saw that life was service.  I acted and behold, service was joy.”  Come to think about it, such joy will be unimaginable.  What glorious blessings await us in heaven.

The Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead will quicken our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11).  Our eyes of understanding will be enlightened.  We will come to know the hope of his calling and the riches of his inheritance (Eph 1:18).  He quickened those who were dead to trespasses and sins.  We are saved by grace (Eph 2:1, 5).

Christians pride themselves as being led by the Holy Spirit.  Author and speaker Joyce Meyers (b. 1943) said, “Many people feel so pressured by the expectations of others that it causes them to be frustrated, miserable and confused about what they should do.  But there is a way to live a simple, joy-filled, peaceful life, and the key is learning how to be led by the Holy Spirit, not the traditions of expectations of man.”  We must pray for the Spirit’s anointing and be guided by him.  Remember, it isn’t what we want, but how we are led by this Spirit to do the things we do.  This is how miracles occur in our lives and we are blessed as we walk in his ways.

Charles Stanley (b. 1932), senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Northern Atlanta, Georgia, commented, “Earthly wisdom is doing what comes naturally.  Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do.”  We must never depend on our own understanding.  In order to receive a miraculous spirit we have to respond positively to God’s Spirit.  It is important to discern where he is leading us.  False communication from other sources may try to impede us from doing what’s right and just.

But who exactly is the Holy Spirit?  Politician and former member of the US House of Representatives, Michele Bachmann (b. 1956) explained, “The Holy Spirit is our comforter, our teacher.  That’s why, in prayer, we can ask the Lord to open up Scripture and make it come alive to us, to open our understanding.  He left his Spirit with us until we join him in Heaven.”  What a tremendous gift is the gift of the Spirit.

Many may wonder about dark moments we spend as Christians.  Os Guinness (b. 1941), an English author and social critic remarked, “The story of Christian reformation, revival, and renaissance underscores that the darkest hour is often just before the dawn, so that we should always be people of hope and prayer, not gloom and defeatism,  God the Holy Spirit can turn the situation around in five minutes.”  Our God is an amazing God who does glorious things.  Some situations may call us to use the gift of perseverance to see problems through.  However, we have to do so the right way before we receive an abundance of blessings.

Prayers must be hopeful.  We must have faith expecting the results for the things we pray.  Saint Augustine (354–430 AD), an early Christian theologian and philosopher prayed, “O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.  Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.”  Lifting our prayers up to the Lord is magnificent.  It’s the Holy Spirit who teaches us to pray.  He is behind both small and large miracles.

Our faith should start from infancy.  Greek bishop Saint Basil (329/330–379 AD), of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) said, “Liberated from the error of pagan tradition through the benevolence and loving kindness of the good God with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the operation of the Holy Spirit, I was reared from the very beginning by Christian parents.  From them I learned even in babyhood the Holy Scriptures which led me to a knowledge of the truth.”  Knowing the truth is developmental in nature.  It’s therefore good to teach our children when they are young about the gifts of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.