Christmas of Hope

Friday, December 10, 2021

There has been a lot going on since I last wrote. We were one and a half weeks at the CEF Headquarters in Warrenton, MO helping out during their Spiritual Renewal Week. It was a very busy, very draining week, but oh a good one. We were very grateful to be there. Tim spent most of his time helping in the kitchen working with the food or doing the dishes. My duties involved housekeeping: cleaning toilets, keeping the bathrooms stuffed with paper products and taking out the garbage. From time to time I also helped in the kitchen. I even had the opportunity to sit in with some of the meetings as two days I didn’t start working till the afternoon. The Bible teaching was excellent but don’t ask me who the speaker was, I don’t know.

Our RV wasn’t fixed before we left. In fact, it still isn’t fixed but they do know the problem now. They are just waiting on parts. Thus, we packed stuff and cat into the car and drove to Missouri. We are so very grateful to CEF for allowing us to have our cat with us in the volunteer guest house. Macska was also glad to get out of the basement and be able to sleep with us, even if just for a week and a half.

On Sunday, the pastor of the church we were visiting spoke of the Advent of Hope. Hope is to desire and consider something possible. To expect with confidence or trust. When we place our hope in Christ, the world opens up to new possibilities. Hope is also what gets us through the difficult times. There are a lot of people going through difficult times, especially this season.

Some verses the pastor shared with us I believe can be a real encouragement to you if you are struggling with hope:

Psalm 40:1-3, “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” He hears our cries. He puts a new song in our hearts! You are NOT alone!

Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” His strength is enough when we don’t have any of our own! How many times have I relied on His strength lately… He’s not counting!!!

Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”  Absolutely nothing, NOTHING, can separate us from His love. What a precious gift!!!

1Peter 5:7, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Because He cares for us, we can’t be a bother. What do you need to bring to Him today?

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace is definitely needed in the world today. In the midst of all the chaos and trouble, He tells us NOT to be afraid. I have many Christian friends who are living in fear instead of trusting Him. Get your focus on Him and His peace will follow.

1Corinthians 1:27, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;” I just shared with a friend yesterday, that our limitations do not limit God. In fact, He can do mighty things through the weak and handicapped! What does He want to do through your weakness?

Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” He is with you no matter where you are. That should be an amazing comfort. What do you need to be courageous about today?

There are so many more verses, the Bible is just full of them, including one of my favorites… Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” He wants to give us His Hope! If you need hope, spend extra time in His Word. Remember HOPE came down at Christmas!

Since Sunday, there has been a song going through my mind almost constantly. I would like to share the lyrics with you here. May they be a blessing and encouragement during this Christmas time. Christmas of Hope by Buddy Mullins & Rebecca J. Peck, Thomas Peck Music:

1: Wide eyed, wondering what will there be, just what’s waiting there under the tree? How do we capture the magic we find, there in the face of a child? Once more turning our hearts to believe, looking past what we’ve chosen to see. Bethlehem’s miracle forever new, the hope of this season come true.

Chorus: It’s a Christmas of joy, a Christmas of peace. A Christmas of prayer that our world will see. A Christmas of love, God help us to show. This is a Christmas of hope.

2: All of the trimmings of holiday cheer, can’t mend the broken hearts burdened with fear. What we need most is the light Jesus brings, to help us see what Christmas means. Heaven’s promise of mercy and love, heals us when we have childlike trust. Giving and caring our hope is renewed, this Christmas our dreams can come true.

Bridge: Born in a manger, Our Lord and Savior: The prince of peace, the hope that we need.

He is definitely the hope that we need! Without Christ and what He did, there would be no hope! Dwell on that this Christmas.

You can hear the song on YouTube: Christmas of Hope by Liberty Quartet. The Mullins Family also sing it if you type in Christmas of Hope by Buddy Mullins & Rebecca J. Peck, Thomas Peck Music.

Blessings to you this Christmas Season, may you experience HIS HOPE.

Mari