Is there ANY hope?

ve you ever felt disgusted with the state of the world?

No matter how bleak life can be, as a genuine Christian, there is ALWAYS hope, no matter what is happening around us. As we remember the birth of Christ during the Christmas season, there are many who roll their eyes at our faith.  The world desires to push Christ out of the picture and focus on the "holiday spirit, gift giving, wining and dining" aspect of the holiday.   

I am SO glad to hear more and more people saying "Merry Christmas." 
It seems many have taken a bold step of faith to keep Christ in Christmas.
I pray it continues.   Yet there are many who see our faith in Christ as foolishness, a naive belief in a fairy tale carried on through tradition.   My heart feels so sorry for them. 

How wrong they are, those who deny Christ, for our faith in Jesus IS "evidence" based.  They refuse to dig into history and study the people and places and match them up with archeology and science.  If they would ask God to show them and open their eyes, He would.  For decades,  evolution has dominated our educational system.  But one day every knee, yes, every knee will bow to Christ.   Jesus came, He died, He rose and He will return. 
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To many of us, this world seems to be getting worse...growing farther from God, walking away from goodness and light toward immorality and darkness.  There are no rules, all things are acceptable.  Where will it end?   
Global decay is spreading and the  persecution of Christianity at a level never seen before.  Babies are still being taken from the security of the womb and murdered.   Children are being told they can choose their gender.  Wrong is right and right is wrong.  It is now offensive to some for me to type these words even though I am typing truth.   
How can there still be hope in a world that is decaying? 

My dear friend, there is HOPE.  There is Christ. 
​When all is collapsing around us, there is Christ.
In the darkest moments, the brightest light can shine forth.  Right now there are thousands and thousands of Christians in China being jailed, persecuted and hunted down over their faith.  Yet, in this darkness the Light of Christ shines as many more come to know Christ as Savior.   In the worst of times, there is increased faith and evangelism spreading like fire! 

Lives are being transformed and the church is growing as the Chinese people take the gospel and share. Yet at the same time I read of a woman seven months pregnant who was forced to have an abortion because she already had one child - limit! 
While darkness still grows in China, the gospel is also spreading like fire.   Amazing!   Underground churches are continuing to spread and spiritual faith grows and grows!   

We cannot eliminate affliction and every aspect of darkness in this earthly existence --- but there is hope.  We as His child must be willing to act, stand and speak about our HOPE. 
​Is there HOPE?   Yes, and it begins with you.   

Do you believe God can use you?    HE can if you believe. At the end of the day, God is looking for someone who will work for Him. If you will let Him, He will use you to bring light into a dark world.  

As we remember the night Christ was born, may we also remember His reason for coming. 
Christ came to seek and to save the lost; to pay the price for our sin on a cross.  Some of His last words were "go and tell."   We are to spread the HOPE to others. 

Is there HOPE?   Oh yes.
HOPE lay in a manger. 
HOPE walked this earthly soil. 
HOPE left us with evidence of our faith - teachings & miracles witnessed by thousands. 
HOPE was nailed to a cross. 
HOPE arose. 
​HOPE lives within us.  
JESUS  is our HOPE.   
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He is there to conquer despair, to lift depression, replace heartache with joy and most of all to forgive sins. He came to reconcile us to God.   He is our HOPE. 
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Let's talk with Him & thank Him:
Oh heavenly Father, how beautiful was that babe in a manger!
Lord of all, we know there is nothing that surprises You and that through the darkness of the world, You are still changing hearts. 
Every mountain can be made low, the rough places smooth, the crooked places made straight. 
When we arise each day and see all around us, and things seem so dark, we know You are always there.   We eagerly await Your return, but until then You call us to do Your bidding.   
May we live in a way pleasing to You and never be intimidated to share Your gospel message with others.   Yes, there is HOPE to be found, and it lives within me.  Help me to spread that HOPE!         
​     In Jesus' name, Amen.