Day 8 -Invitation to Live Assured

Scripture~ Romans 8: 18-25 (NKJV)

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”

My Lesson~ 

Our little Bella had a rough start to her potty training with lots of accidents. Some of which were just due to a very tiny bladder with the inability to control the muscles. However, I believe even more so, was our inability to understand each other. Upon the suggestion of one of our sons, (and my sister) we hung up a string of bells from the door handle and taught her that each time she wants to go outside to take care of business, she’s to ring the bell by touching it with her nose. Now when we hear the bell, her need is clear and out we go. What a difference that made!

Yesterday marked the first Sunday of Advent, in which the focus for the week is; HOPE. As the Scripture says above, “we are saved in this hope.” We typically think of hope as something that may or may not happen, but this isn’t the Biblical definition. Hope is a sure thing… joyful expectancy… of that which will indeed happen, but has yet to come to fruition.

God’s given me a visual reminder of hope; Bella’s doorbells. I know, kinda crazy, but stick with me. Every time she rings the bells, she goes outside. Both Bella and I have the same hope. When the bells are used and heard: good things happen. For me, there are no accidents inside the house and for her it means praise and a yummy treat. 

In full disclosure, this algology has holes. Neither Glenn nor I are perfect. I imagine there will be times when we don't hear her ringing the bell. But praise God, He is perfect. He will always hear when I call. Because of this I can rest in His hope today -- though a dark, thick door of the ‘here and now’ may block the view from the other side of eternity, Christ has forgiven me of my sins and calls me His own. Because of this, God will open the door for me when it’s time.

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Prayer~ Thank you, Father, for hope. The prophets wrote of it, and you brought it to us in the gift of your Son. You have promised that our hope, when it is in Christ, is not an unsure thing, but something we can build our very lives upon. Thank you that You’re trustworthy and true. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Invitation~ Make room in your heart to embrace Him and the gift of Hope -- hope filled with joyful expectancy-- that came though a little baby, Jesus, born for you and me.

(Do you have that sure hope in your heart today? If not, reach out to me.)