Homes of Hope & Healing Evangelistic Series
October 28, 2024
Issue #2
God will Never never never leave us or forsake us
Biblical hope isn’t a flimsy wish; it’s a confident expectation grounded in God’s promises. Pastor Anthony Hall emphasized this powerful truth in his sermon, explaining that hope, according to Scripture, is not merely a fragile desire but a firm assurance in God's faithfulness.
“Hope, according to Scripture, is a strong belief, a confident expectation,” Pastor Hall shared. “It’s not a fleeting feeling but a rock-solid assurance that God will come through.”
“Hope, according to Scripture, is a strong belief, a confident expectation,” Pastor Hall shared. “It’s not a fleeting feeling but a rock-solid assurance that God will come through.”
Faith as Confidence in Hope
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This blessed assurance—this God-given faith—is rooted in His unwavering promises. Pastor Hall urged listeners to cling to the truth that God’s promises will always stand: “If God said it, I can believe it. He doesn’t lie, and He will fulfill every word.”
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This blessed assurance—this God-given faith—is rooted in His unwavering promises. Pastor Hall urged listeners to cling to the truth that God’s promises will always stand: “If God said it, I can believe it. He doesn’t lie, and He will fulfill every word.”
captured by Ansuni Hall
Lessons from the Wharf Rats
In a study of resilience, scientists found that “wharf rats”—rats swimming for their lives in open water—survived only about 17 minutes before drowning. However, a second group of rats was briefly rescued just before exhaustion, cared for, and returned to the water later.
This group’s survival time skyrocketed to 36 hours! Why? Because they had hope of rescue. “God will deliver and save,” Pastor Hall declared, “just like those rats had hope, we have hope in a God who never abandons us.”
A Hope Storm is coming!
Blessed Assurance
God’s promises carry a strength that gives us unwavering assurance. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “Those who hope in the Lord WILL renew their strength.” Pastor Hall underscored the certainty of God’s promises with the phrase “will renew”—a powerful, future-present reality. Hope in the Lord isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a guarantee.
Healing Begins with Repentance
Before healing can take place, we must admit our sins and seek forgiveness. God wants to work with us, but first, we need to open our hearts to Him. True healing begins with humility and a sincere desire to change.
Learning from Jacob’s Journey
Ellen G. White’s Patriarchs and Prophets sheds light on Jacob’s journey back to his homeland after years of separation. As he retraced his steps, Jacob was burdened with guilt from his past deceptions. Pastor Hall encouraged the congregation to trust God and not let the devil’s reminders of past sins keep them from moving forward. “The devil wants us to think that our sins are too great for God to forgive,” he noted, “but God is always ready to take us back.”
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God’s Call to Move Forward
Just as God called Jacob to move forward, He calls us to leave our past behind. The enemy may attempt to weigh us down with guilt, but God’s mercies are new each morning. “If God says move, move,” Pastor Hall emphasized, urging us to step boldly toward God’s purpose
The Power of Recalling God’s Promises
In Genesis 32:9-12, Jacob called upon God’s promises, holding on to them for dear life. In our own struggles, we must do the same. Remember, hope is Holding On to God’s Promises Everyday.
What Does H.O.P.E Stand For?
H.O.P.E
Holding On to God’s Promises Everyday. It’s not just an acronym but a way of life. By standing on His promises, we walk each day with a resilient hope, knowing that God’s strength will sustain us.
Never, never, never will I leave you or forsake you.
In Hebrews 13:5, God promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Pastor Hall explained that in Greek, this phrase has a powerful, emphatic structure—translated as, “Never not you will I leave nor never not you will I forsake.” When we feel alone, it’s not God who leaves us; it’s often our own doubts and fears that lead us astray.
Jacob’s Dilemma
Jacob faced a harrowing dilemma: he couldn’t return to his past, couldn’t remain where he was, and moving forward seemed deadly. Many of us find ourselves feeling trapped, hemmed in by our circumstances. Yet, even in moments of seeming hopelessness, God is there.
They’re gonna save us again, right?
Holding On to H.O.P.E.
In a world full of distractions, we are called to hope, not as the world hopes, but with a biblical hope that is assured and anchored in God’s faithfulness. When everything else is uncertain, the promises of God stand firm. Let us hold fast to this hope, for we know that with God, there is always a way forward.”
This hope, rooted in God’s promises, transforms the way we live. Instead of succumbing to despair or hopelessness, we are called to stand on His Word. God’s faithfulness never falters, even when we do. Just as Jacob found peace and strength in the promises of God, we too can face life’s uncertainties, knowing that our trust in God will never be misplaced.
So, let us cling to H.O.P.E.—Holding On to God’s Promises Everyday. With unwavering assurance, may we live each day strengthened by this truth: when everything else fades, God’s promises will remain, guiding us forward and renewing our strength with every step.
