Be Hopeful, Expecting Great Things in '23

Jan 25

HOPE. It’s a word we all want to experience in every area of life. When asked the question, “What are you hoping for in 2023 in regards to your life, calling and purpose?” what would you say? It seems that the culture we live in continues to bring about challenges at every turn. Even today you could probably list a few things that are holding you up or getting in the way of what you desire.

Let’s define HOPE:

Recently I heard a sermon by John Mark Comer. In this talk he gave the best definition of HOPE that I want to share with you.

HOPE: “Expectation of the coming good based on the person and promises of God. Hope is about the future but for the present. This kind of hope is an energy to live well in the here and now. It is a doggedness in joy when life is hard.”

This is the exact reason that we’ve chosen the theme of BE HOPEFUL for 2023. Will you hope with us? Let’s hold tightly to what we know is true as we seek what’s next for the year ahead.

How to experience this kind of HOPE:

H - Hold on to what you know is true and sure.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

O - Offer your dreams and desires to God as you surrender.

Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord . Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:4, 5

P - Pursue your vision while trusting His plans.

The plans and preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:1

E - Expect great things with an open mind as to what they are.

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:9,10

The word “doggedness” is the descriptive word for this kind of hope. Doggedness is defined as, “a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion”. Our prayer for you this year is that you will be given bold faith which helps you to BE HOPEFUL in all that God has called you to do.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

*Read below what John Piper says about God giving His kingdom to you.