ANCHOR OF LOVE

HOPE

Have you ever ended your evening prayers by silently thinking, "I sure prayed hard over this. I hope that it works!" Although God's Word talks a lot about hope, I don't believe this is the kind of hope He means. Webster defines hope as being "desire accompanied by expectation or belief in fulfillment." When we hope in this way, what a glory it is to God! What freedom and joy there is in expecting and believing that our prayers will be fulfilled. This kind of hope gives tremendous energy to our prayers. The book of Hebrews confirms this fact by saying that godly hope actually propels us into Christ's presence "behind the veil." "...we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil" There is power in true hope! Unlike wishful thinking, there is also stability and assurance, a combination which can send your spirit soaring into the very presence of God. Lay hold of God's way of hoping now. When you do, your life will never be the same.

HOLD PAST

Countless Christians lie awake night after night tormented by the question, “What has happened? I thought I won that battle. Why is it happening all over again?” “Common sense” would tell us that once we wage war with the enemy in a particular area and win, that the victory is over forever – right? Wrong. Satan doesn’t operate that way. As the enemy of our souls, he doesn’t play by the rules. He has come to steal and to destroy, and nothing will stop him from at least attempting to take every one of your victories back! Understand that the victory is still yours; Satan is just trying to regain some territory by making you think you never really won in the first place! Jesus warned us this would happen. He said, “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown” . What “territory” of your life is Satan trying to regain a foothold in tonight? Is he using some incident of the day to entice you to jealousy, anger, resentment, hate, fear, insecurity or mistrust? Hold fast to your victories. Don’t let Satan steal your crown! Rise up tonight and make your victory secure... Rise up brother and sister...With God we have our victories..