Hope. A Return to My First Love: My Testimony
Hope: “to expect with confidence.”
But is hope really that necessary?
Psychology Today argues that the true cost of hopelessness “reaches far beyond temporary sadness,” as hopelessness robs us of our dreams, health, forward progress, and many other things that we cherish.
I see now that I should have guarded my hope better, for even while serving God, I lost hope. If I had been as familiar with God’s Word as I claimed to be, then I would have seen it coming.
Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name's sake have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.”
Isaiah 66: 5,12 For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.”
See, when I made religion and the approval of man my idol, I gave up my hope of steadfast Love. Yet, in my darkest hour it was God’s steadfast Love and guidance that I needed the most.
Jonah 2:8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
I see now that it is through my struggles that I finally made peace with God, not through man or religion, but through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is there that I found hope that does not put me to shame, because God’s Love has been poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit, not by some other means.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Therefore, if you are discouraged today and feel as though you are losing your hope, Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope! Our God is faithful to meet you there, and He also promises to restore “you to double.”
Zechariah 9:12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
A Return to My First Love: My Testimony is a roadmap of how I made my way back, reviving the hope placed within me by my Creator. It is our prayer that My Testimony will give you new hope to fulfill the eternal purpose on this earth that you were specifically made to fulfill.
Ephesians 3:7-9 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things.
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