Since suffering from a stroke in March, 2022, I have been on the road to recovery.  I am, however, physically tired.  Each day I get more, and more, back to normal (whatever that may be now).  Many of the things I used to do are no longer done, or are donw with great strain.  There is nothing like an afternoon nap for those times! 🙂

In spite of physical difficulties I can only think of one thing which is a motivation to continue is “hope.”  Without the hope believers possess there would be no real hope at all.

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, [2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; [5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. – Ephesians 4:1-6 KJV

All members of the Body of Christ (those that have believed the simple Gospel of salvation) have “one hope.”  This “one hope” is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our hope is a heavenly hope, not the earthly hope of many religions.  Nor is it the earthly kingdom hope, which is running amuck in the church today.  So many do not have hope because they have their heads in both heaven, and earth.  Another words; they try to obey both the words in Scripture written to the Body of Christ, and those things written to Israel.  

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. [4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: [6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:1-6 KJV

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. [11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2:1-13 KJV

Are you tired?  Are you weary?  Look to the “One Hope!”

Bob Picard Pastor, God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, Massachusettsinfo@godsgracebc.orgwww.godsgracebc.org