Inauguration Day in the USA. And Hope!

 This is a title that will seem like scrambled eggs.  All mixed up. Let’s see if I can make any sense.  

The USA has had many ups and downs the last several years.  I will not get into politics, but we desperately have needed hope.  As we know many try to get hope from all the wrong places. But many of us know who authors hope, who gives hope, the Creator of hope, and is HOPE itself.  Jesus Christ is hope. So why do we look elsewhere?  

Today is Inauguration Day in the USA.  Our newly voted in President was sworn in to be our President for the next four years.  Along with a new vice-president.  This day brought many extremes of hope or hopelessness.  Depending on your belief.  I will focus on the hope.  This new president depicts hope for the majority of the population.  Financially, peace, protection, and prosperity, among many other issues.  This brings hope to the people of our country.  It is a very exciting hope just to see so many filled with high expectations.  There was very high energy and excitement.  That’s encouraging to see.  Our country needs that. 

What does this have to do with Jesus?  I believe everything.  Jesus is hope.  He encourages us to have hope. He tells us hope will not disappoint.  But we must trust in Him, believe in Him. The Bible is full of verses about hope. Some popular verses:

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14   

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“For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — 

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Jesus is our hope and our future.  He has promised us.  He is here for us.  How do I tie this into our new President?  The Lord has given us a new hope in this president.  He has given us a confidence in this new administration.  We may not always agree with decisions they make. But Jesus says rely on Him.  Lean into Him and pray for our country, our leaders, and for hope. 

My prayer for you readers, is that you can find that hope that comes from Jesus.  Hold onto it tightly.He never leaves us stranded.  

Happy New Year

Wow, here we are again, another new year.  And not only another year, but now we are 2025.  It seems like yesterday everyone was in a panic over Y2K.  I say everyone loosely.  I was not, and so many others were not.  Why?  Our trust is in Jesus.  Now a quarter of a century has passed since then.  We have faced so many other disasters, trials, hardships since the year 2000.  

So  how will we approach this year, 2025? I would hope with eager anticipation of what the Lord has in store for us this year.  How will He use me?  Where will He take me?  To whom will He have me speak to?  The list can go on and on.  And it is NOT all about me.  It is about His will, including my family, your family. We do not walk this life alone.  He has placed us within a family, within a church family, within a circle of friends, and more.  

Have you ever wondered why Jesus puts us with others to walk with us, when we have Him walking with us?  For one thing, we are in the flesh.  We still walk in the flesh.  That is where our weaknesses are. But also we all do not have the same gifts, or knowledge , or experience.  Therefore we rely on our brothers and sisters to help us minister to others more effectively. 

 “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭HCSB

We work together and enhance one another, we complement one another with our own gifts and strengths.  And they do the same for us.  

“And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

The Word of God spells it out for us.  I know for me, I’ve read these verses over and over.  Yet I need to remind myself over and over about these verses.  I need to read them over and over.  And walk in these truths over and over.  

This is so encouraging.  Knowing we are not alone.  And knowing even those that actually walked with Jesus day by day in the flesh needed reminding.  There isn’t anything wrong with us.  We are who God made us to be.  He has enabled us in the gifts He has chosen for us.  And He will use us how He intends for us to be used.  

I truly hope that you all are encouraged by these words.  Do not feel useless or down on yourself.  Jesus has the perfect job lined up for you.  Do not fret.  It may even take longer than you thought.  Jesus has your timeline prepared.  And He is constantly perfecting it.  

Start the new year of 2025 with enthusiasm and gusto.  Ready to take His Word to the streets and to others.  Get ready to be used by God.  Amen