12/09 c-blog, TO GET HOPE YOU NEED TO GIVE HOPE, Saddleback M: [Rick Warren on video] "...need hope to cope...not false hope...hope is not wishful thinking...hope is not positive thinking, not optimism...but pos thinking won't change the situation..o

12/09 c-blog, TO GET HOPE YOU NEED TO GIVE HOPE, Saddleback M: [Rick Warren on video] "...need hope to cope...not false hope...hope is not wishful thinking...hope is not positive thinking, not optimism...but pos thinking won't change the situation..only hope in God can change circumstances...optimism is psychological..hope is theological...hope is passionate trusting..optimism can st be a denial of reality...rose colored glasses...hope never denies reality...it says its bad...but I still have hope..not just psyching self up..hope can change circumstances..if hope is in God..study 1 peter ...called "letter of hope"..read over & over if tough time..nero was caeasar at time..feeding Christians to lions..tarring & torching them..so peter writes letter of hope..in 1st seven verses...5 reasons real hope...google..."8 ways to have hope" 1) have cup of tea, 2) look in mirror & say 'I am the key to peace' 3) daily ritual, meditate on candle..4)curtail intake of news'....peter says "God chose me before I chose him"....salvation no accident..God decided to choose you...long before you thought of Jesus & knew his name ..He came to you.God chose you for a purpose. [There are christmas trees & giant wreaths] ...ever last person chose for a game..know what it feels like to not be chosen...beyond grade school & rships...God has chosen..God always treats us w/ mercy ..."boundless mercy"...more you understand mercy & grace...more you will be astounded...I show you mercy b/c I love you...God's love for you & your salvation is not based on your performance...Titus 3.5...as children of God you can ask God for anything..20 times Bible says "ask"...ask & you will receive over & over again..in 2010 ask God for more..pray re anything...you have not because you ASK NOT...I got a letter from snapple...re plumegranate...I told them they should rename it "plum crazy"...& they sent me a case with it named "plum crazy"...& a personal message on each bottle...if snapple & larry can meet the need of a person who simply asked, how much more God can meet our needs if we ask..Jeremiah 29.11.
...do your giving while you're living...when my book sales went thru stratosphere...I stopped taking a salary..& also gave my kids their inheritance now...circle word "Reserved"....this may shock you...but you need a reservation in advance to get into heaven...pure ..undefiled...once you got salvation you can't lose it...seal of north carolina says "While I'm alive I have hope"...I have eternal hope...can't erase your name..the holding on is God's part...beyond reach of decay..a flower that will not wither..picture that doesn't fade...eternal security..friend that's a reason for hope...PRICELESS..far richer than you realize..never taken away..[song]...#4.. God's power will protect me...1 Peter 1.5...Jesus says you're in my hands..word "protect" in Greek is a military term for garrison like a sentry...what is your responsib ? Trust...power goes w/ trusting...God in His mighty power will protect you...no matter what you go thru..I will help if you trust me..paul says
2 Tim 1. 12...a lot of people are afraid to commit to Christ b/c they think they might fail or fall, but that's not our job, that's God's job..wonderful joy...ahead...even though many trials for a while..faith is being tested. 1 peter 1. 6-7...like gold being tested by fire..that long sentence jampacked with info you need to know...3 reasons God allows them..trials..3 things about trials..1)necessary...2) trials are temporary "this too shall pass" ..reminder in my office that this too will pass..the criticism, praise...will pass..farmer's favorite verse "it came to pass"...think of problems right now..Bible says..while going thru God is doing 3 things 1) to test my faith..2) to purify my motives...3) as fire tests & purifies gold..high heat burns out impurities..when the HEAT IS ON IN your life, God is burning off the impurities.. God says...I'm more interested in changing you than making you comfortable..building character...3rd to prepare me for rewards...-"if faith remains strong...much praise & glory"...if you respond w/ joy...trust..its going to produce..temporary pain..you're going to share in God's glory..part of your inheritance as a child of God..even my pain has a purpose..1 Cor 4.17...temporary pain in exchange for eternal glory...I know some of you barely hanging on by a thread...some of you suffering..steven curtis chapman...after loved one died..."never questioned more God's plan...say goodbye w/ hope, because we know goodbye is not the end"...we have a hope nobody else has...God has chosen us..secured our eternal salvation..using problems to prepare me for eternity.."..predest..regen...persever...glorific..sanctif.....I want to challenge you..to build deeper roots..challenge you to make a deeper commitment..be at saddleback every weekend..make a commitment..to your small group..grow devvelop..encourage you to study foundations...basic understanding of Bible..15,000, class in a few weeks...fastest way to get hope GIVE IT AWAY..be ready to explain hope..doesn't say share faith..give hope. Share hope..."

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