Here And Beyond!

I have HOPE in this life. It is true I do not know all that may cross my path during my journey here on earth, but I still have HOPE for this life. That hope -- which does have the Lord and His Will in mind -- is based on things I hear and see. The week I recently spent with teens at the Senior Teen Session at Delano Bay Christian Camp filled me with a lot of HOPE. The caliber of teens I encountered and with whom I shared in study, discussion, and praise -- provided me with a great sense of HOPE for the future of the church and its outreach into a world of darkness. I met teens who are already allowing the Lord to work through them to touch the lives of others. They touched my life as well. Such HOPE should encourage us all. However, that is not the extent of the HOPE we have.

As Paul wrote in his first letter to the church at Corinth regarding the reality of the resurrection and the HOPE connected with it, he stated. . .

"(19) If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." ( 1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV)

We can have and should have a sense of HOPE for even life now because of Christ. However, that HOPE also carries beyond this realm.

Paul went on to write. . .
"(20) But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (21) For as by a man came death, BY A MAN HAS COME ALSO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. (22) For as in Adam all die, SO ALSO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE. (23) But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then AT HIS COMING THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST." ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 ESV)

We live in a world where many live without a sense of HOPE. They are presently experiencing despair and think there is nothing worth living for, let alone a future beyond this earthly realm. May we live in a manner that reveals how much HOPE we have because of Jesus for our present life and an eternity to come. Life can be presently lived to the fullness ( John 10:10) because Jesus came to provide that kind of life. And we can live with great expectation of an even grander existence yet to come when Christ receives us into eternity with Him.

As I HOPE now, death will not be the end of my HOPE. I pray that is your focus as well. Let us help others come to understand this HOPE only found in Jesus so that they may experience its blessing as well.

Have a great day LIVING WITH ETERNAL OPTIMISM IN CHRIST!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Hope