Pop-Ups of Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"

(Rom 15:13, NIV).

Pop-ups are notorious for happening when one is reading or researching online. They just seem to keep popping up and can become quite a nuisance or even a total distraction when trying to focus on what you are reading. On the other hand, pop-ups can be helpful or necessary by getting your attention in certain instances.

As I was reading my Bible, delving into scripture, the word hope seemed to keep "popping up" this particular day during my study. This reminded me of a "pop-up"; and it certainly got my attention. I know that I use the word hope in various contexts such as: I hope you have a nice day; I hope to get there on time; I sure hope this headache subsides soon. You get my point.

As I continued to read, the word hope convinced me to take note and further explore its meaning. This particular definition caught my attention: Hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength in His faithfulness; putting confidence in; an element of trust. I was left pondering about: confident expectation; God's promises, and the strength of God's faithfulness. I further noticed that there are four "pop-ups" of hope: 1)Hope looks to the future. 2)Hope is built on faith. 3)Hope is connected to waiting. 4)Hope comes from God.

How amazing is this 4-letter word, and to think I possess it! You too, my sister, can have hope, along with the peace that accompanies it. Hope in the Lord is a life changing thing that will encourage and strengthen you to press on.

Our faith as a child of God is "forward looking faith". Our confident belief, based not on things experienced, but on the word of God that in the future He says will happen, that's real hope.

Hope is a further certainty that gives you joy, peace, and patience in the present. Even though you you face struggles, you can still have hope in Jesus Christ. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation" I Pet. 4:12-13, NASB).

Even Jesus faced struggles, we're not alone; remember this is all temporary. Struggles can actually strengthen our hope. You can keep ultimate hope by focusing on Jesus and the encouraging scriptures that remind you that you do have a reason to hope.

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint" (Is. 40:31).

According to scripture, Hope is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible (14 times alone in Job).

Faith and hope are runners up to God's greatest treasure, love (I Cor. 13:13). Jesus is the only One true way for us to have faith and hope in God.  "Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory" (1Pet.1:21, NLT).

Be encouraged to put your hope in God and not in things on earth that won't last.

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see"

(Heb. 11:1, NLT).

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" (Rom. 8:24-25, NIV).

Dear Father in Heaven, the ultimate "Hope Master", we praise You. We thank You for Jesus and the hope we have in You because of His great sacrifice. Lord, may we constantly be reminded of the the hope we have because we trust You and put our faith solely in You. It says in Your word "Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him." The Lord is good to those who wait confidently for Him."

(Lam. 3: 24b, 25a, Amp). We praise You, Lord, for these reminders in Your word. Thank You for loving us like You do! In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.

Here are some scriptures to read more about hope.