When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of Hope. This is a time to give thanks and to be Hopeful for the coming of the Advent season and the celebration of Christ’s birth. The first candle we light in the Advent season symbolizes Hope, with the other 3 symbolizing love, joy, and peace.
I can’t imagine living without Hope. Even on my darkest days, I have the Hope that I will get through whatever is going on. Why? Because I know that coming out of darkness into God’s light makes me stronger in my faith; gives me a testimony to share with others; emboldens me and increases my self-esteem; shows me once again that I can do all things through Christ! He has never failed to lead me through.
As God takes us through the different seasons in our lives, He gives us HOPE. Hope that the sun will shine each day. HOPE that we will be able to help someone each day. HOPE that God will always be with us and not forsake us. HOPE that we can use our gifts in just the way God intends for us to. Hope that life will continue even as it has changed.
God is calling us now to use our gifts to help those who will be missing loved ones around the table this year. He is also calling us to grieve well because He knows how much we miss them. There was so much love in these relationships!
There is HOPE for families around the globe. There is HOPE because of what God did for us by sending His Son to die on the cross, to defeat sin and death, and to give us a place in heaven to spend life eternal with Him. He is still in charge, and He knows what is best for us. Our part is to use the HOPE He has given us.
HOPE means:
Having
Overcoming
Power
Evermore
We have this overcoming power within us through the Holy Spirit and not through our own abilities. God is counting on us to use it! Continue to let God lead you in the way He wants you to go and in the role He wants you to take. The power of Hope is inside each of us!
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave The same power that commands the dead to wake Lives in us, lives in us The same power that moves mountains when He speaks The same power that can calm a raging sea Lives in us, lives in us He lives in us, lives in us
We have hope That His promises are true In His strength There is nothing we can't do Yes, we know There are greater things in store We will not be overtaken We will not be overcome
Greater is He that is living in me He's conquered our enemy No power of darkness No weapon prevails We stand here in victory
Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Jeremy Camp
Same Power lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
During this 2022 Thanksgiving season, I give thanks for your support of this ministry of writing God’s messages on the blog as well as in 2 books. I pray that your time with family will be a time of encouragement, love, and remembering loved ones. We will not be overtaken! We will not be overcome! We have HOPE!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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