Mia: Missing In Action (Hope)

MIA--- MISSING IN ACTION (HOPE FOR THE LAST DAYS.)

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

MIA MEANS MISSING IN ACTION.

LESSON IF WE DO NOT SPEND TIME WITH JESUS BEHIND THE VEIL OF THE HOLY OF HOLIES OUR HOPE WILL ALWAYS BE LIMITED.

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

WE ARE UNDER ATTACK… THE MAIN TARGETS ARE CLEAR. THERE ARE THREE ESSENTIALS TO A STRONG CHRISTIAN LIFE, FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE… WHY DO SEE HOPE AS AN ESSENTIAL…. Hope needs to be part of everyone’s life.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

We recently discussed PEACE. Now let us ponder hope.

HOPE IS MORE THAN OPTIMISM. BE HONEST… ARE WE SO FOCUSED THAT WE STAND ON HOPE?

Seems the doctor’s report is bad? MIA? Seems the financial situation is crushing? MIA? Seems the mess in this family will bring ruin? MIA? Seems we have worked our fingers to the bones, what do we get? Boney fingers? MIA? Come to the point of honesty: WHAT IS ATTACKING OUR HOPE?

THE DARK TUNNEL OF HOPELESSNESS?

Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Ever walk in a dark place where you have never been? Then you see a glimmer of light ahead. That light of hope can help us press forward… that light can help us through the dark tunnel. If we keep walking one step at a time, the light will motivate us to not turn around and look back.

WHY DID ABRAHAM DIG WELLS? HOPE?

Abraham never dreamed that 4000 years later people would still travel to drink out of the wells he had dug. There is a well at NEGEV today… ABRAHAM HAD HOPE OF GOOD, CLEAN, COOL WATER. He had hope for him. He had hope for those that came. It is believed there are still 7 wells that are used today. HOPE HAS VISION BEYOND… WHOSE WELL DID THE SAMARITAN WOMAN GET WATER? The lady knew the water! But she met the LIVING WATER THERE.

Admit? Sometimes we cannot understand what God is doing? When all the facts lie and everything seems hopeless, we see Abraham digging more wells. He had hope. He believed anyway. Abraham knew there was more than this mess. Abraham decided to live not on the basis of his feelings and emotions. He knew he couldn't do stuff on what he could do. Abe trusted on what God said he would do. He was made father of the faithful by having hope in what God said.

MIA: MISSING IN ACTION… WHAT DO YOU SEE? MAN IS SHORT OF DAYS AND FULL OF TROUBLE…

Years ago I read where a farmer in California was having a terrible time. They had had 4 years of drought in their area and many farmers spoke of leaving farming and moving back into the city. So the exodus began. This farmer refused to give up. He prayed and he felt he should DIG A WELL. The farmer started checking into the price of digging a deep sustaining well. This would take an investment of almost his whole life savings. Remember this was years ago. The cost of the well would be at least $200,000. Also remember many were giving up and leaving farming. $200,000 is a lot of money?

Come with me today, we will find 40 acres of beautiful green land. The land is full of very luscious ALMOND TREES. The almond trees bring in big profits… ONE FARMER HAD HOPE when the others were in gloom and despair. THE FARMERS THAT QUIT SAW TODAY. THE FARMER THAT DUG THE WELL SAW IN THE FURTHER.

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Joyfully you'll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation.

HOPE IS MORE THAN WISH.

Anticipation, a feeling of expectation and desire for certain good things to happen. WITH HOPE WE CAN SEE BETTER, HAVE BETTER DAYS AND HAVE BETTER TIMES …

Hope can make bad times more bearable.

YOU CAN ONLY SEE STARS WHEN IT IS DARK.

THE DARKER THE NIGHT THE GREATER THE LIGHT. WHY DO WE SEE HOPE AS AN ESSENTIAL…. Hope needs to be part of everyone’s life.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.