One of the privileges of living in our part of the country is the beautiful colors of nature at the change of seasons.  We are into autumn and daylight hours are diminishing while temperatures are dipping.  At the same time we hear the wind blowing outside, we are also given front row seats at our front windows to see the beautifully colored leaves get carried around by that same wind.

 

Only God can paint a universe so beautiful, yet diverse.  As autumn progresses to the inevitable visit from "Old Man Winter" once again and all of nature seems to take a sabbatical, many become depressed and socially hibernate in order to remain secure in their fears.  Yet, the promise of the approaching winter is the hope that new life will spring forth in the springtime. 

 

Hope…so much of how we live and decide is based upon it.  So often we can practice a measure of hope in most everything but spiritual matters.  Yet, the good news is that when things seem the bleakest, hope will push us through to the victory.  The Psalmist expresses the thought so perfectly in Psalm 30:5, "…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning".  The night is darkest just before sunrise!

 

Take a moment today to hold on to the hope that an eternal God offers.  The Creator has done all that He could to extend His nature our way…now it's our turn to take hold of His hand and take the next step.

 

God's great hope for mankind is that we come to realize how much He has planned for us.  He has a great purpose for each of us!  He hopes that we would walk in that plan by coming to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  When we acknowledge our need of Him, and confess our sins to Him, we not only hope they will be forgiven, but we are promised that they are forgiven by the God who cannot lie (1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness").

 

Our hope is that you would realize your need of forgiveness and release from the guilt of your past.  By coming to know Christ personally, your hope will increase and your faith will be an overcoming strength in your character!  People will notice the change…hopeless to hopeful!  "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" (Romans 15:13).