Hope (Attitude)
Hope is the pillar of mental health. (Ps 42:11)
Hope is the second of a threesome of immovable pillars. (1Co 13:13)
Hope is the enabler of longsuffering/endurance, which is one of the fruits of the Spirit. (Ps 71:14 continual hope, Ac 14:22 much tribulation, Gal 5:22 longsuffering, Php 1:29 suffering, Heb 6:11 enduring hope, 1Pe 1:13 enduring hope)
Hope is our helmet that protects our mind. (1Th 5:8)
Hope is an anchor for our soul. (Heb 6:17-19)
We hope in God. (Jer 17:7, 1Pe 1:21)
We hope in God's mercy. (Ps 33:18,19, Ps 130:7)
We are saved by hope. (Ro 8:24)
Hope is intimately connected with the greatest pillar (love). (1Co 13:7 [Charity (love)] hopeth all things.)
Fulfilled prophecy gives us hope in the future.
Fulfilled prophecy gives us hope in the future. (Isa 42:9, Am 3:7, Jn 14:28,29, Jn 13:18,19, Ro 15:4)
Examples: Prophecies of the nations. (Da 2:1-49)
Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, Europe, Jesus' eternal kingdom.
Examples: The 70 weeks (490 years) prophecy. (Da 9:24-27)
The exact prediction of Jesus' baptism and death, and the rejection of the gospel by the Jewish leaders.
69 weeks (483 years, 457 BC - 27 AD, note that there was no year 0) plus 1 week (7 years, 28 AD - 34 AD)
Note: The day-to-year principle is the key to unlock prophetic time. (Nu 14:34, Eze 4:6)
Examples: The 1,260 days (years) prophecy. (Da 7:25, Da 12:7, Rev 11:2,3, Rev 12:6,14, Rev 13:5)
The great tribulation of God's people in the dark ages.
1,260 years (538 AD - 1798 AD)
Examples: Prophecies of Jesus first coming. (Lk 24:27)
Over 50 fulfilled prophecies, including the following 25:
Jesus was born of a virgin. (Isa 7:14 => Mt 1:23, Lk 1:26-31)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Mic 5:2 => Lk 2:4-7)
Jesus escaped the slaughter of the infants. (Jer 31:15 => Mt 2:16-18)
Jesus fled to Egypt. (Hos 11:1 => Mt 2:14,15)
Jesus had a Galilean ministry. (Isa 9:1,2 => Mt 4:12-16)
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a young donkey. (Zec 9:9 => Mt 21:1-5)
Jesus entered the temple. (Mal 3:1 => Mt 21:12)
Jesus performed healing miracles. (Ps 146:8, Isa 29:18,19 => Mk 8:22-26)
Jesus spoke in parables. (Ps 78:2 => Lk 8:9,10)
Jesus calmed the sea. (Ps 89:8,9 => Mt 8:23-27)
Jesus was hated in spite of His innocence. (Ps 35:19, Ps 69:4 => Jn 15:24,25)
Jesus was rejected by His own people (the Jews). (Isa 53:3 => Jn 1:11, Lk 23:18-21)
Jesus died for our sins. (Isa 53:8 => Mt 20:28)
Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver and the money was used to buy a potter's field. (Zec 11:12,13 => Mt 26:14,15, Mt 27:5,7)
Jesus was forsaken by His disciples. (Zec 13:7 => Mt 26:31,56, Mk 14:50)
Jesus was crucified. (Ps 22:14-16, Isa 49:16, Zec 12:10, Zec 13:6 => Lk 23:33, Jn 20:27)
Jesus was counted as a criminal. (Isa 53:9,12 => Mk 15:27,28, Lk 23:33)
Jesus' garments were gambled. (Ps 22:18 => Mt 27:35, Jn 19:24)
Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Ps 22:1 => Mt 27:46)
Jesus prayed for His enemies. (Ps 109:3-5 => Lk 23:34)
Jesus' bones were not broken. (Ex 12:43,46, Nu 9:12, Ps 34:20 => Jn 19:32-36)
Jesus' side was pierced. (Zec 12:10 => Jn 19:34)
Jesus was buried with the rich. (Isa 53:9 => Mt 27:57-60)
Jesus was resurrected. (Ps 16:10, Ps 49:15 => Mk 16:4-6, Ac 2:29-32)
Jesus ascended to heaven. (Ps 68:18, Ps 110:1 => Mk 16:15,16,19, Lk 24:50-52, Ac 1:8-11)
Trusting God (faith) gives us hope in all God's promises.
Trusting God (faith) gives us hope in all God's promises. (Ps 119:114, Isa 46:9,10, Ro 4:19-21, 2Pe 1:4)
All God's promises are fulfilled in Jesus. (2Co 1:18-20)
Jesus is our greatest Hope.
Jesus is our greatest Hope. (Col 1:27, Ps 71:5, Joel 3:16, 1Ti 1:1, Tit 2:13, 1Pe 1:3,4)
We are to believe that, through Jesus, all our sins are forgiven. (Isa 44:22,23, Lk 5:19-25, Jn 1:29, Ro 8:1, Col 2:12,13, Heb 9:16-28, 1Pe 2:24, 1Jn 1:7, 1Jn 2:12)
We are to believe that, through Jesus, all our sins are forgotten. (Ps 25:7, Ps 79:8,9, Isa 38:17, Isa 43:18,25, Jer 31:34, Eze 33:16, Php 3:13,14, Heb 10:17-20)
We are to believe that, through Jesus, we have an abundant life. (Jn 10:10)
We are to believe that, through Jesus, we have eternal life. (Jn 14:6, Jn 11:25,26, 1Co 15:55-57, 1Jn 2:25 a promise, 1Jn 5:13)
We are to believe Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. (Isa 46:3,4, Mt 28:20, Heb 13:5,6)
We are to believe Jesus will finish the transforming work He began in us. (Php 1:6, Ro 8:29, 2Co 3:18, Gal 5:5, Heb 12:2)
We are to believe Jesus will return to take us to Heaven. (Jn 14:1-3, Mt 25:31,34, Ac 1:11)
We are to believe by Jesus' resurrection that He can raise us from the dead. (1Co 15:19-23, 1Th 4:14-18)
Anyone who does not have Jesus, has no hope. (Jn 3:36, Eph 2:12, Jn 15:5, Ac 4:12, 1Jn 5:12)
We look forward to eternal life in Heaven.
We look forward to eternal life in Heaven. (Jn 5:24, Jn 6:47, Tit 3:7)
We look forward to the end of sin, suffering, and death. (Rev 21:4,27, Rev 22:1-4)
We look forward to our new homes in a restored paradise. (Isa 55:12,13, Heb 13:14)
We look forward to blessings beyond our imaginations. (1Co 2:9)
In hopeful preparation, we live now, on earth, in harmony with all the precepts of Heaven. (Mt 6:10)
In hopeful anticipation, we watch for our Lord's return. (Mt 24:42-44, 1Co 16:13, Rev 16:15)
Through eyes of hope, we see others as they could be in Jesus.
Through eyes of hope, we see others as they could be in Jesus. (Da 4:1-37, Lk 5:4-10, Ac 9:1-16, 2Co 4:18)
This hope promotes patience, longsuffering, and forbearance in dealing with others. (1Co 7:16, Eph 4:1,2, Col 3:12,13)
This hope promotes love, instead of hate. (Mt 5:43,44)
This is how Jesus sees us. (Ro 5:8)
Our hopes transform our mind.
Trusting God, our world view must be based on what is revealed in the Bible (the written truth). (Nu 23:19, Ps 119:160, Jn 17:17, Jn 18:37, Tit 1:2, Heb 6:17,18, 1Jn 2:21)
Trusting God, our world view must be based on what is revealed in the life of Jesus (the Living Truth). (Jn 14:6, 1Jn 2:22)
Our mind must hope only in what is true. (Mt 7:24,25, Jn 4:23, Ro 12:2, Eph 4:22-24, Php 4:8)
Hope in what is false is folly and vanity. (Mt 7:26,27)
Neither is God expecting us to have blind hope. (Lk 6:39)
God has provided ample evidence for what is true. (Heb 11:1)
Examples: The Creation (Ps 19:1-3, Ro 1:20)
Examples: The Resurrection (1Co 15:3-8, 2Pe 1:16)
Examples: fulfilled prophecies (in the books of Psalms, Daniel, Revelation, and many others)
Maybe you view yourself as of no value.
The truth is that, since you are created in God's image, you are of great worth. (Ge 1:27)
The truth is that, since Jesus gave His life for you, you are of great worth. (Jn 3:16)
The truth is that, since you are (or can become) an adopted child of God, you are of great worth. (Jn 1:12,13)
Our life is in our blood. (Lev 17:11 first part)
Our physical heart circulates our blood.
Our mental "heart" circulates our thoughts. (Pr 4:20-23, Ge 6:5, Pr 23:7 first part, Heb 4:12)
We need to keep our mental heart focused on Jesus. (Jer 29:13, Mt 14:25-31)
We are to have the mind of Christ. (1Co 2:16 last part, 1Co 2:13,14, 2Co 3:18, 2Co 10:5, Php 2:5, Col 1:9)
Our hopes give us a positive (optimistic) attitude.
Our hopes give us a positive (optimistic) attitude. (Ro 8:28)
Jesus was never discouraged. (Isa 42:1-4, Mt 19:26)
A positive attitude encourages us to keep trying. (Mt 7:7,8)
A positive attitude encourages us to keep going. (2Co 4:8,9)
A positive attitude encourages us to keep trusting. (Mk 9:23)
Moses doubted whether he could do what God called him to do (lead Israel out of Egypt). (Ex 3:11)
However, God informed him of the truth that, with God, he could (and did). (Ex 3:12)
Jeremiah doubted whether he could do what God called him to do (give important messages to Israel). (Jer 1:6)
However, God informed him of the truth that, with God, he could (and did). (Jer 1:7-10)
Peter doubted whether he could do what Jesus called him to do (follow Jesus as a fisher of men). (Lk 5:8,9)
However, Jesus informed him of the truth that, with God, he could (and did). (Lk 5:10)
Thomas doubted his colleagues' eyewitness account that Jesus was raised from the dead. (Jn 20:24,25)
However, Jesus personally showed him the truth that He was now alive forevermore. (Jn 20:26-29 compare Rev 1:18)
After his Damascus Road experience, Paul believed he was the worst of sinners. (1Ti 1:15)
However, Jesus personally showed him the truth that he was a chosen vessel for a great ministry. (Ac 9:10-16)
Abraham believed he should obey God's call to leave home and follow God, even though he did not know where he was going. (Heb 11:8)
Joshua and Caleb believed that, with God, Israel could (and eventually did) defeat giants. (Nu 14:6-9)
David believed that, with God, he could (and did) defeat the giant Goliath. (1Sa 17:36,37)
Three Hebrew youths believed that, with God, they could (and were) delivered from a fiery furnace. (Da 3:16-18)
Daniel believed that, with God, he could (and was) delivered from a den of lions. (Da 6:7-10)
Ezekiel believed that, with God, he could prophesy to a valley of dry bones and God could (and will) raise and restore them to full, fleshly life. (Eze 37:1-13)
A blind man believed that, with God, he could (and did) regain his sight. (Lk 18:35-43)
Lazarus' sister believed that, with God, her dead brother could be (and was) resurrected. (Jn 11:21-27)
We can see here a close connection (unity) between faith (trust) and hope (attitude).
Our attitude is influenced by our faith; our faith is influenced by our attitude.
You might believe you are weak.
However, the Bible informs us of the truth that, with God, we are strong. (Ps 46:1, Isa 40:28-31, Joel 3:10, 2Co 12:9, Eph 6:10)
You might doubt whether you can do what God calls you to do. (Jn 15:5)
However, the Bible informs us of the truth that, with God, you can. (Php 4:13)
Our hopes inspire thankfulness.
Our hopes inspire thankfulness. (Ps 30:11,12, Ps 100:4,5, 2Co 4:15, Eph 5:19,20, Col 3:15 last part, 1Th 5:18)
Thankfulness includes being content with what you already have. (Php 4:11,12, Ex 20:17, Lk 3:14)
Our hopes give us joy.
Our hopes give us joy. (Ps 16:11, Ps 146:5, Isa 61:10, Jn 15:11, Ro 12:12 first part, Ro 15:13 joy, Gal 5:22 joy, Php 4:4)
Our hopes keep us from sorrow. (Ne 8:9-12, Isa 61:1 bind up the brokenhearted, 1Th 4:13)
Our hopes give us peace of mind.
Our hopes give us peace of mind. (Isa 26:3, Jer 29:11, Ps 46:10, Ro 15:13 peace, Gal 5:22 peace, Col 3:15 first part, 2Pe 3:13,14)
Our peace is not disturbed by anxiety. (Ps 23:1-6, Mt 6:25-34, Php 4:6,7, 1Pe 5:7)
Our peace is not disturbed by stress. (Ps 55:22, Mt 11:28-30, 2Co 13:11, 2Th 3:16)
Our peace is not disturbed by fear (Dt 20:1-4, Jos 1:7, 2Ch 32:7,8, Pr 3:24-26 sweet sleep, Isa 35:4, Isa 41:10,13, Isa 54:17, 2Ti 1:7, Heb 13:6, 1Jn 4:18), not even fear of death (Heb 2:14,15).
Our peace is not disturbed by persecution. (Jn 16:33, Mt 5:10-12, Jn 15:18-20, Php 1:29, 2Ti 3:12, Heb 12:3)
Jesus is the Prince of peace. (Isa 9:6, Nu 6:23-26, Ps 29:10,11, Ps 107:28,29, Mk 4:39, Jn 14:27, Ro 15:33)
Those who receive righteouness by faith in Jesus receive true peace and true healing. (Isa 32:17, Isa 57:18-21, Lk 7:48-50)
Our hopes give us patience.
Our hopes give us patience. (Ro 8:25, 1Th 1:3)
Our hopes motivate us to patiently wait on God. (Ex 40:36,37, La 3:25,26, Ps 27:14, Ps 37:34, Pr 13:12 last part, Pr 20:22, Ecc 3:11 first part, Hos 12:6, Gal 5:5, Heb 10:36,37, Jas 5:10,11)
Patience leads through experience to more hope. (Ro 5:3,4)
Patience leads onward to perfection. (Jas 1:4)
Our hopes strengthen our health.
The gospel hope is good news, which strengthens our health. (Pr 15:30 second part)
The gospel hope is pleasant words, which strengthen our health. (Pr 16:24)
Our hopeful joy strengthens our health. (Pr 15:13, Pr 17:22)
Our hopes affect all our choices.
Our hopes affect all our choices. (Jos 24:15, Ge 2:16,17, Ge 4:6,7, Dt 30:15-19, Ro 5:5, Rev 22:11,12)
True health surmounts every barrier. (Isa 40:31)