Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category
Let Hope In
There is an oft told adage that goes something like: “A person can live seven days without water, three minutes without oxygen, but not a second without hope.” The science may or may not be accurate, but the sentiment is clear enough. Hope is essential to living. When a person gives up hope, giving up life is not far behind. Hope and life are inextricably linked in our minds.
In our latest Bible Studies for Life unit, Let Hope In, Pete Wilson looks at the idea of hope in the context of past failures. If I fail, is my usefulness over? Can I move forward, or will the shame of past sins ever be with me? Pete writes, “We can have a sure hope regardless of our past. When we let hope in, we can move beyond the regrets and shame. A hope-filled life is not a problem-free life. But we are no longer bound or hindered by the past.”1
One of the most moving stories of hope in the Bible concerns a young man, Mephibosheth. His grandfather, Saul, formerly a king of Israel, had been removed by God for disobedience. His father, Jonathan, was killed in battle. God had chosen David to be king, and he had once been threatened with death by Saul.
During this era, it was common for a new ruler to put to death all male descendants of the old king. David and Jonathan, however, were very close friends. David had made a pact with Jonathan not to harm his descendants. Not only did David not seek to harm them, he specifically looked for descendants of Saul to bless because of Jonathan.2
“So the king asked, ‘Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?’ [The servant] said to the king, ‘There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.’…Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, bowed down to the ground and paid homage. David said, ‘Mephibosheth!”
‘I am your servant,’ he replied.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.’”3
What grace to one whose hope was gone! Many authors have noted the correlation between this story and salvation. A king, Jesus, who owes us nothing, seeks enemies to bless and makes us His children. “Embrace this hope: if we have received Jesus, God has given us the right to become His children (John 1:12). If we have become children of God, we no longer have to hide from him. We can come without fear to God’s throne with our lame condition since God has accepted us because of Christ’s worth.”4
Before Christ, we were like Mephibosheth – broken, and in need of hope. Those of us who have found hope in Christ must reach out to others who are without hope. We must not only let hope in, we must reach out to others and show them the hope we have in Christ.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
1– Bible Studies for Life, Let Hope In, by Pete Wilson
2– 2 Samuel 9:1
3– 2 Samuel 9:3, 6-7
4– Bible Studies for Life, Let Hope In, by Pete Wilson
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | Dear Cross Church Family
Dear Cross Church Family,
I am so excited about “I Love My Church Day” at Cross Church on Sunday, February 16. There are some important things I want you to know about this day.
We are praying that each of you will prioritize your schedule to be at one of our campuses for Worship and Small Groups. Since 1988, we have scheduled one day on our annual calendar to call everyone to gather with God’s people and declare, in attendance and commitment, “I Love My Church!” Invite others! Bring members, attenders, and guests on February 16.
For many years, we have called for a special offering on “I Love My Church Day.” Some of those years, this special offering was used to catch up on our Ministry Budget needs due to Sundays of inclement weather. As you know, since the first of December, we have had three major snow Sundays. Please know, when a snow Sunday occurs, we usually realize about one-third of our normal offering receipts. When this happens, as it has this year, it becomes a huge challenge for us. I am asking everyone from each campus:
1. Make up the giving of the first fruits – the tithe, the 1st tenth – on February 16 if you have missed a Sunday due to weather, sickness, or travel.
2. Give a special gift to our Ministry Budget, as Jeana and I will. Why? It is simple: We love our church! Weekly, we give through automated giving, but in addition to our regular giving, on February 16, we will use the enclosed envelope to give a special gift to our Ministry Budget to the glory of God and the expansion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I really hope you will join us in this sacred cause.
Cross Church is here for you and your family. Here’s another great reason to bring your friends and help us gather our people: On February 16, we will begin a brand new series, called #HelpMyFamily. I am telling you friends, whether you are a teenager, a single adult, married, or a widow, God will speak to your heart in this #HelpMyFamily series.
Pray for “I Love My Church Day” and join us at Cross Church,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.