Find your hope in Jesus Christ today.

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For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? --Romans 8:24 Did you know that you need hope? We all do. Swiss theologian M.L. Bruner said, “What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of human life.” Just as our physical bodies would die without oxygen, our spirit will suffocate without hope! In our culture, we hear a lot about love. We even hear a lot about faith. But we don’t hear that much about hope. Yet from the very beginning, God provided hope. After Adam and Eve sinned and plunged the planet into pain, God gave a promise for a redeemer, a savior. That hope is Jesus Christ! “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). What do you need hope for today? Physical pain? Disease? Addiction? Depression? Bad habits? A broken heart? Whatever your need, God’s plan is to give you a future and a hope. Jesus Christ was sent to conquer pain and death, and to give hope. He is your Redeemer… your hope. But just like the air you breathe, hope is an unseen promise. Find your hope in Jesus Christ today. Friday, January 18, 2019 An Absence of Worship by Dr. Paul Chappell “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:11–13 The vision of Heaven that John was given reveals a place that is filled with praise and worship. Nothing less would be fitting for the King of kings and Lord of lords. But if Heaven is filled with worship to the only One worthy of it, Earth certainly is not—not even in many churches. A Barna survey revealed that, “Most Americans go to church to satisfy or please themselves, not to honor or please God.” Church and worship, and indeed all of life, is meant to be about God rather than about us. He alone is to be praised and worshiped. The fact of His goodness and graciousness does not automatically create worship and praise. We must be reminded again and again to keep our focus on Him. Four times in one psalm we find this instruction: “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31). This is not a repetition to fill space, but rather a powerful admonition to us to give thanks and honor God for all that He has done for us. Expressing our gratitude to God is a powerful protection against the temptations we face. Today’s Growth Principle:  If our hearts are not filled with worship, our lives will be filled with sin.