SPREAD HOPE

---

Today’s Readings:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Psalm 96:1,3-5,11-13

Luke 4:16-30

---

There is always hope, and we ought to spread it. Hope enables us to desire the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness. We do this by placing our trust in God's promises and relying on His grace, not our own strength. Hope also provides confidence that God's promises will be fulfilled and sustains us through trials, keeping us from despair or presumption.

Saint Paul speaks of the hope of the resurrection: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). The news that we shall live forever with God turns our tears and frustrations over our challenges and fears, into hope. We are not living an aimless existence, and we are not condemned to a life of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain in this world. There will be an end to our uncertainties when sadness shall give way to a glorious day, when the night of tears shall be replaced with joy that never fades. “At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command, and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them; to meet the Lord in the air. So, we shall stay with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

Hope is not an escape from reality. It is an acceptance of the offer to live life in union with Christ and “die in Jesus”. To live each day in union with Christ is to live with love in your hearts for ourselves and for everyone God created. It is to desire the good of all, to forgive wrongs quickly, to reconcile with God by confessing our sin, and to contribute our quota to make the world better. By desiring the good of the world, we find a purpose for living and a reason to keep hope alive. This living hope attains its fulfilment when we are united with Christ in His resurrection. The world will not treat us with kindness because they do not understand the teachings of Christ. But we live, not for the world’s approval. We live in the hope of a heavenly promise—the promise of everlasting righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17). Carry this hope with you everywhere you go.

JUDE-MARY OWOH

---

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.

---

Prayer:

1. As we begin a new month, may Christ fill our hearts with the assurance of salvation and free us from the evil cycle of sin and despair.

2. May all that we think about, all that we say, and all our actions keep us close to Him and away from sin and evil.

3. May our hearts be set on heaven and on the readiness to meet Jesus when He comes again. Amen.

4. A blessed new month to you. May the hope which Christ gives by defeating death and the anointing that flows from his Godhead, set us free from sin and establish us in hope and favour always. Amen.