Best Verse: Colossians 1:5 “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel”

GOSPEL OF HOPE

Having a loved one receive their heavenly reward is a blessing. Sure, it hurts knowing you won’t see them again, but we know the hope we have in Christ. And where do we get that hope? This verse tells us – the gospel. There is no other source of hope. The gospel tells the story of God’s plan of redemption for us. That is why we have hope. There is NOTHING we can do to gain hope – except acknowledge Jesus as Lord and bow in surrender to His will.

TEACHING MOMENT

Have your children ever hoped in something that didn’t happen? What a letdown! Getting cut from a ball team, perhaps. Or maybe not getting invited to that party they wanted to go to. Maybe your daughter was wanting that one special guy to ask her to the prom, but he chose someone else. Hoping in things or people just leaves us open for disappointments. We must help our children learn where true hope lies. It only lies in Him.

The next time your child has their hopes crushed by someone, take them to this verse. Our hope is laid up for us in heaven. The very best God has for us is waiting for us when get to heaven. Notice the verse says it is “laid up” for us. The word means it is reserved for us. Every believer has hope reserved just for them. No one can take that away. It is waiting in heaven with our name on it.

I am so glad my hope is not in the results of a Presidential race or the outcome of football game. I am glad my hope is not dependent on my wife, children or friends. My hope is promised to me by the only true promise keeper – Jesus Christ. He IS my hope! He is my reservation keeper! He is the hope giver! Won’t you rest in Him? Won’t you give your children the word of truth, the gospel, where they can find true hope?

Beloved, be hopeful! This world is NOT OUR END!