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So many times in our personal lives, we find ourselves lacking hope and falling helplessly into despair.  Many of the problems we face can seem insurmountable and leave us feeling helpless but the word of God assures us there is hope. During these times of trials and temptations we must always look to Jesus for the answers we need and find solid answers in his word. As a Christian we should always judge our circumstances according to the word of God. This is the only real test of truth. In the face of sickness our answer should be, Isa 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” The word {healed} means to mend, to cure, and to be made whole. When the world and Satan endeavor to destroy our hope; seeking to make us doubt our faith is real and denying the very existence of eternal life in Christ through faith in the finished work of the cross, we must never entertain their thoughts. Instead, we must know the scripture and be able to give an account of our hope. 1st Pe 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” We know as Christians that the answer to all things is Christ and him crucified but to the lost this seems unreal and ingénue. They don’t understand the hope in your heart. How can they if you are not able to show them the truth that lies within yon?  Romans 5: 5, 6 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” We have to be able to show them through a changed life and by the word, the new life of faith and hope that you have experienced.

Many will be the trials in your life and very often you will be tested and even ridiculed for your faith. At times people will come against your hope with real meanness because they are committed to proving the Christian faith a hoax, while others may be genuinely seeking answers. It is to the latter that we are most accountable. We must know the word and be able to teach the word to those who are lost without prejudice of their unbelief. If we believe Christ died for us while we were still in our sins, we must with much patience and love, prove to them that he also loved and died for them. Romans 5:8, 9, 10 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” 1st Ti 2:6 “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”. Jesus died for all of mankind; for all nationalities, for the rich and the poor, no matter what your station in life is and all people have a right to hear this truth. We are the Church, the body of Christ here on earth. We are the living testimony that there is hope through the risen Christ. Being armed with these truths let us go forward, if need be, bearing reproach, while earnestly proclaiming His gospel. Let us stay committed to the call to take this gospel to all men whether across the globe or to our neighbor.