While many anticipate the freshness of a blank calendar, others struggle with depression, anxiety, and fear as the unknown of 2023 looms. In a world immersed in wars, mental health issues, hurt, and general confusion, many need hope to be revived. Do you?

When Hope Needs to be Revived

In 1 Timothy 1:1, the writer declares, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.” In the original language, the word hope is elpis and it means confident expectation. Paul maintained a confident expectation about “the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:14 NIV) rather than a pie-in-the-sky wish. He trusted in the promises of God despite the hardships he endured.

Beatings. Shipwrecks. Stoning. Snake bites. Imprisonment. Of all people, Paul understood loss, persecution, and poverty. But he penned words of hope on parchment.

Of all people, Paul understood loss, persecution, and poverty. But he penned words of hope on parchment. Click To Tweet

Why?

Paul’s eyes remained locked on eternity and the heart of Christ. He knew that this life serves as an entry point to the believer’s forever with the Savior. As Romans 6:23 (NIV) reads, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”

Can you even begin to imagine? A life immersed in the beauty and grace of God. A life celebrating the Son of God.

When we lose sight of what awaits, perhaps we can remind ourselves of Paul’s words. Oh, Jesus, revive our hope in you.

 

When Your Heart Needs to be Revived

Schedules fill with must-do’s, have-to’s, church obligations, and family expectations. Somehow we push the One we do it all for in the first place to the margins of the day. Can anyone relate?

Soon, life grows tasteless. Our spirits need Bread and our hearts need to be revived. I’ve been in that place before—wasting away for lack of sustenance. Needing to fill my spirit with the nourishment of imperishable manna.

Christ once commended the church of Ephesus for her endurance and perseverance. But in her toil and desire to do for the Lord? Her heart had grown cold. Distant. Jesus chastised the church, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4 NIV).

When love grows dim, people give up the habits and patterns they invested in when passion flourished. They relinquish key relational elements such as time, intimate conversation, and respect. Our spiritual relationship with the Father involves those same components. While the people in the church of Ephesus held fast during challenging times, their hearts needed revival. Jesus had been relegated to the if-I-have-time-for-you edges of the day when He longed for you-have-all-of-me.

If our schedules grow too full for you, Jesus, remind us to “choose what is better”.

If our schedules grow too full for you, Jesus, remind us to “choose what is better”. Click To Tweet

A Prayer When Your Heart Needs to be Revived

Father,

Forgive us. You know we long to accomplish good for your kingdom, but we are overwhelmed by the busyness as tasks and requirements and commitments pile up. Our relationship with you suffers, Lord. We invite you to superintend our schedules, Lord, and revive our hearts. Give us spirits that burn within and a desire to seek you afresh. “Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.” (Psalm 80:18 NIV)

We ask all of this in Jesus’ holy name,

Amen

Conclusion

Friend, no matter the situation, Jesus is our hope. The one who conquered the grave is able to overcome any circumstance–whether this side of heaven or the other. We can put our hope in Him.

 

 

I sometimes link up with the following wonderful bloggers:

Mondays   Mandy and Michele/ Inspire Me Monday/Anita Ojeda Tuesdays InstaEncouragements Wednesdays  Recharge Wednesday / Tell His Story//Let’s Have Coffee Thursdays ImpartingGrace/Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light Friday FriendshipFriday/Blogger Voices Network /Faith on Fire

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Tammy Kennington

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