What a great time of year! Flowers have blossomed…grass is green…kids are finishing school. Families are thinking about their "family vacation" for this year. "Where should we go?" "How much will it cost?" "Who will feed the dog while we're gone?" "Should we spend one week or two weeks there?".   The hope and anticipation of those vacation days we've worked hard all year long for are approaching. No alarm clocks…no routine…just to kick back and take in some sun. What a life!  

Often when we get to the other end of that vacation, we look back and find that it wasn't all we anticipated. Or, it cost more that we budgeted. Or, the condo we rented wasn't as big as it looked in the pictures. Or, the weather was awful the week we picked to spend at the beach. The Bible is true when it says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" (Proverbs 13:12 ).

 

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).