Hope

Text: Romans 8:17b-25

Theme: We were given hope when we were saved.

Key verses: “…we must share in his suffering. Yes what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later” (v. 17b-18). “…with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay” (v. 21). “And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We will given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) (v. 23-25).

What God said to me: Dwayne good morning. Have I not blessed you or what? Here you sit, in this beautiful cabin in the mountains of Georgia. Surrounded by peace and calm and comfort so that you can focus and write more on the model prayer study. I blessed you with this opportunity. Paul wrote the book of Romans from a jail cell with no comfortable accommodations. I expect you to get a lot of great study and writing done this week. I am here with you, and I will guide you as to what to study and write. Trust me. You have hope. You don’t have the concepts and pathway yet of what you should write on for Week 4 of the prayer study. I know the topic of my Kingdom, power and glory can be a daunting thing to tackle–even for scholarly minds. But you have my mind in you. You have hope–hope that will not make you ashamed. You have hope in my Word, in my presence, in my promises, and in my love for you as my child. Paul clearly defined hope as something you can look forward to in full confidence and patience. Think of other things you can hope for, things you can confident I will supply and fulfill. You can certain I will always meet your physical needs and those of your family. My Word promises you that. You can confident I will open for you the doors I want opened, doors I’ve been preparing you for for many years. And when I open them, no one can shut them. You can be hopeful I will finish in you the work I started 50 years ago when I first drew you to my side and you trusted me as your Savior. You can full of hope that I live in you empowering you to fulfill your calling and ministry. You have this anchor for your soul, a well that will not run dry, a fountain of living water, a lighthouse to ever guide you, a peace that passes understanding inside you. Walk closely and humbly with your God. I will continue to perform my good work in you until the day we meet face to face.

What I said to God: Holy and awesome God, great and mighty Redeemer and Friend, I worship You. There is none like You. Thank You for being my Lord and Savior, my forever Friend and Counselor, my heavenly Father. I need You every hour. Please watch over my family today. Remind them of Your everlasting, never-ending love for them. Protect and guide our NLW staff and team today. Thank You for bringing such incredible servants to minister with and make an impact with across the globe. I am forever grateful, and yes, I am hopeful.