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Renewing Hope

I enjoy Do It Yourself (DIY) projects. But they are not always as easy at they seem. I need to remember that they are much easier with help.

I don’t like to ask for help when I’m working on something around the house, need a volunteer at church, or don’t know something. I rather struggle by myself until I get desperate.
As a nation, we isolate ourselves instead of working on issues like conflicts, environment or trade with others from our global community.
And as believers, we pretend we are perfect, and feel ashamed to share our personal struggles, instead of trusting God to care about us, or getting support from our church family.
Word
Jesus lived with hope in the present because he trusted in God’s care. You and I do well to follow his example:

  • Jesus lived by faith. Trust that turning to God and believing in hope is not weakness, but instead it is sign of honesty and faithfulness.
  • Jesus lived without fear. Trust that God provides direction and resources we need.
  • Jesus lived with hope. Trust that God protects us through instructions, warnings, and grace, but also through our smarts, painful experiences, and other people.
It is okay to rely on help and protection. We don’t have to go life alone. Jesus came to give us hope by saving us.
Connection
Do you need hope today? Ask for help, trust in God’s love, and find a Christian who listens, can get you help, and will give you new hope.
Do you know someone who needs hope? Reach out, show them you care and that God cares, and get them help.
Message
We need a Savior, but, the good news is: we can expect him to come and get us out of our fix. God knows we are children in need of help, and cares like a parent.
Like a hen offering shelter to her little chicks, Jesus says: come to me and don’t be afraid to feel weak. I am your Savior and I died to give you hope.

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Thank you for checking out Weekly Word, a weekly online summary of my sermons for review during the week, catch-up after being away, or sharing with others. I am Stefan Munker. I have been serving as a pastor in congregations since 2004. In that time, I have preached quite a few sermons to convey God’s message for member’s lives. I’m excited about reaching more people online. The Weekly Word blog is based on requests for spiritual support in daily life, a desire to share biblical insights from Sunday worship, and the question how to connect more people with the church and God. It is an evolving experiment, so give it a try, keep an open mind, and share your feedback. Welcome to Weekly Word.