15 in 5: Prisoner of What

Romans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ESV You know that feeling when someone asks you how you are doing and your mind has to quickly decide if you’re going to give the short and sweet answer or if you’re going to divulge the real truth?  It’s in that moment you either become a prisoner of defeat or you decide to become a prisoner of hope.  The words that come out of your mouth give life to your situation. You must decide if you (1) give life to the problem in which it will magnify or (2) give life to hope and believe and trust that God will take care of it. Stop wallowing in a bad attitude, a bad attitude will make any situation miserable. A habit of responding negatively will adversely affect every aspect of your life. The “gospel” means “good news”. God wants each of us to come out of adversity victoriously as the bible states, “Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph.” In all things you are more than a conqueror. Stand on the fact that no weapons formed against you will prosper. The Bible says, “If God be for you, who can be against you!” Every morning you need to put on a new attitude of hope and expectancy. You need a raise you say? Work like that raise is already yours and watch how your supervisors and leaders take notice. You may be about to give up on a troubled marriage, a wayward child, on your career or even your life… God wants to breathe new hope into your heart. No matter how dark, dismal or tragic the situation, God wants you to hold on. If you’ll get your second wind and press forward with hope, you’ll see Him do amazing things! Quit telling yourself “I’ll never”. Tune out all the negativity. Declare that you are closer than you think. Zechariah 9:12 says, “We should be prisoners of hope”. I know it’s easy to give up and get discouraged; become a prisoner of hope. Rewards are waiting for you if you stay steadfast in faith and hope. The scripture says, “We walk by faith not by sight.” If you hope and believe you can mark HIS Word, “You will receive!” Be the One, We Are Church – Hope. Prayer Point: ·   Praise God that He shines the light of His spirit upon you and fills you with His love ·   Ask God to help you to be kind and patient, not selfish or easily provoked ·   Pray that He will enable you to believe all things, hope all things, bear and endure all things ·   Thank Him that He releases you from anger, unrest, anxiety, concerns, inner turmoil, strife and pressure Don Gibson