“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside asstrangers,scattered throughoutPontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,Asia, andBithynia,who are chosenaccording to theforeknowledge of God the Father,by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,toobey Jesus Christ and besprinkled with His blood:May grace and peace be multiplied to you.Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whoaccording to His great mercyhas caused us to be born again toa living hope through theresurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,toobtainaninheritancewhich isimperishable, undefiled, andwill not fade away,reserved in heaven for you,who areprotected by the power of Godthrough faith fora salvation readyto be revealed inthelast time.In this you greatly rejoice, even though nowfor a little while,if necessary, you have been distressed byvarioustrials,so that theproof of your faith,beingmore precious than gold which perishesthough tested by fire,may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor atthe revelation of Jesus Christ;andthough you have not seen Him, youlove Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible andfull of glory,obtaining asthe outcome of your faith, the salvation ofyour souls.” 1 Peter 1:1-9 NASB
What is the cure for hopelessness? The resurrection of Jesus Christ, our living hope
Living Hope: The confident expectation of God’s faithfulness to His promises
The resurrection provides
“Jesus was handed over to die for our sins, and he was raised from death to make us right with God.” Romans 4:25 ERV
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB
“We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory.And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient.And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope.And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.” Romans 5:1-5 ERV
“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV
“Jesus said to her,“I amthe resurrection and the life.The one who believesin me will live, even though they die;and whoever lives by believingin me will never die.Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 NIV
“Beloved, now we arechildren of God, andit has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when Heappears, we will belike Him, because we willsee Him just as He is.And everyone who has thishopeseton Himpurifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 NASB
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your love for me. Thank You for demonstrating that love, in the life, death, and resurrection of Your One and Only Son. Jesus, thank you for what You did for me through the cross. Today, I am trusting in You. I put my hope in You for forgiveness from my past and future failures. I put my hope in You for the present. I look to You to lead and guide my life through the power and strength that only You can give. I agree with You that You are my Savior and my Lord. I put my hope in You for the future, that I have a living hope, that will lead me from this life into eternal life with You forever. Holy Spirit, thank You that You dwell in me and that You are the presence of Jesus with me at all times. Holy Spirit You raised Jesus from the dead. And I believe that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. Help me to live my life in Your power and joy. In Jesus name Amen.