Weekly challenge to focus on and practice LOVE through hope.

 Sunday- God’s hope toward us

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Challenge: God loves us and has plans for us if we choose to follow him.  God loves us and eagerly waits for us to accept him.  He is the father that waits and looks over the horizon to see if we are coming back to him.  How blessed we are to have a father that never gives up on us and loves us.  Take a moment to pray to God and thank him for never giving up on you.

Monday – Our hope toward God

1 Peter 1:3-6   ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Challenge: Our love for God is shown in the hope that we put in him.  When times get to be the toughest is when our hope is tested.  Think of a time when your hope has been tested.  Name some ways that God has worked in your life during that trial.   Thank God for protecting you.

Tuesday- Our hope toward our Family

Proverbs 19:18   Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;  do not be a willing party to their death.

Challenge: Our love and hope for our family is shown in the way we encourage them to be followers of God.   This passage in proverbs is written to parents to point out that they should take an active role in helping their children realize the hope that God has for them.  Do you take an active role in your family members (children, siblings, spouse etc) lives to help them realize the hope God has for them? Show a family member love by expressing your hope in them that they will be faithful followers of God.

Wednesday- Our hope toward our Friends

1 Thessalonians 1:3   We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Challenge: Paul’s love for the Thessalonians was inspired by the hope they have in Jesus. Your love for your friends is  likely inspired by the hope they have in Jesus.  Take time to notice the hope that your friends have in Jesus.  Encourage your friends by telling them about the hope that you see in them.

Thursday- Our hope toward our Neighbor

Romans 15:13   May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Challenge: Do you overflow with hope?  Is the hope that you have in God through the Holy Spirit evident to your neighbor. Think about how you can encourage your neighbor to have the joy and peace that you have as you trust in God.  Show them your love by sharing your hope.

Friday- Our hope toward our Enemies

1 Peter 3:13-16  ¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Challenge:  Do you suffer for what is right?  Pray that God will open a door for you to give the reason for the hope you have.  Loving your enemy means that you share the hope that you have in Jesus.

Saturday- Our hope toward the Lost

1 Timothy 4:10  That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Challenge: Our love and hope for the lost is the same hope that we have.  We put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people. Pray that God will give an opportunity to share the hope that you have with someone that doesn’t know God.