For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4-5

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The historical accounts we read in the Bible reveal a pattern of how God consistently helps people. When we run into alarming situations, we can turn to the Scriptures to see examples of God’s faithfulness through the ages.

Take Daniel for example. Getting thrown into a lions’ den qualifies as a really bad day. When that happened he had no natural hope against the hungry lions. We’ve all had times like that, when circumstances betray us and there is no help in human terms.

Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice…“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me.” Daniel 6:19-21a

At the break of day we see that God had rescued Daniel from the situation that was designed to take him out. Daniel’s God is your God. Whatever battle you are in (even if it’s a protracted one)—your “break of day” is coming! Continue to stand. Follow Daniel’s example (Daniel 6:10) and consistently press into the promises of God. Pray and seek God. Spend time in praise and worship, even when the circumstances are pressuring you to do the opposite.

There is no pit so deep that God can’t pull you out (Psalm 103:2-4; 139:8). Even when the odds are overwhelming and the situation looks hopeless, God is right there with you, working things out for good (Romans 8:28).The God of hope will give you perseverance and encouragement—so face your battles with confidence, knowing that God will deliver you.

More than a conqueror in 2012,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

God’s love does not originate from our niceness—it’s been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit!

Our first increase of love needs to be toward God. We can start well in our love walk and then drift if we aren’t connected to the source. The believers in the Ephesian church, despite all their good works and perseverance, were held accountable by God because they left their first love (Revelation 2:4). If we’ve let our love grow cold, there is a way to get strengthened so that once again our love for God is central. “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Revelation 2:5a).

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

The love walk is the most vital thing you can be doing right now. As you renew your dedication to grow in your relationship with God and walk in love toward others, a by-product will be a sharpened understanding of the next steps you should take in life. As you are seeking God first, the other concerns in life will start to work out according to God’s will (Matthew 6:33)!

Press on!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Without becoming weak in faith he [Abraham] contemplated his own body, now as
good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s
womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but
grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God
had promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:19-21

Even though Abraham was beyond what seemed like the proper time for the
fulfillment of God’s promise to make him a father of many nations, Abraham
remained “fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform”
(Romans 4:21). That God is our God! Let the mighty deeds God has done through
history generate hope for your specific situation.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Believers who have their roots in the truth of the Word have a foundation for their
hope. It’s not false optimism—it’s anchored on the faithfulness of God to His
people (Psalm 1:1-3). Renew your determination to seek God and read the Word.
Don’t back down, because that is where you find the strength and substance for
your hope!

If you feel like life has passed you by and you missed your time to see God’s plan
come to pass, take a stance like Abraham who “in hope against hope” believed
(Romans 4:18a). It’s not too late! God is looking to strongly support those whose
hearts are His (2 Chronicles 16:9). “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why
have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
the help of my countenance and my God!” (Psalm 42:11).

Press on!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The God of hope has solutions to your problems. I’ve walked into situations that did not look solvable. But after I had prayed and sought the God who is able, wisdom poured out and sufficiency came. God is able to do even more than we can think or imagine, so don’t limit God’s ability to provide an answer for the most impossible situations (Ephesians 3:20).

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5

Put your hope in God’s faithfulness, which extends to all generations with no variation or shifting shadow (Psalm 100:5, 119:90; James 1:17). He is more faithful than the sunrise.

This is our time to roll up our sleeves and exhibit a steadfastness of hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3). People love the sound of the starting gun, but it’s a whole different breed that makes it to the finish line. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9). With determined faith, keep holding to the conviction that God is going to bring to pass His purposes; and with your hope fixed on Him, dare to believe that you will see the good news message of Jesus permeate the world!

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation