I am writing this today because I feel like God told me too. I would like to say that's why I write all my posts, but generally I just like to share with you guys what He has shared with me. This one is different. He has said that hope is something that He wants to awaken. I hope that as you read this the hope of the Lord that comes by Faith is awakened in your heart.
How many of us choose not to hope as "we will only be disappointed"? This can be very true, because hope is a very gentle thing. Hope is vulnerable in it's nature. It chooses to see the best, and to see good things, instead of looking at the myriad of things that could go wrong.
Hope is a weapon. Hope is one of the greatest tools in our arsenal, and it is one of our greatest strengths. It is something that the enemy will desperately try to stamp out and destroy. Because there is life in hope. There is creativity in hope. In hope there is faith in God. The greatest and single most important aspect of our faith.
The world from the time you have been born until now, has been trying to destroy your hope. It will tell you not to dream big, it will tell you that you cannot do it, that you are not enough. It will poison every idea, every dream and every godly desire.
When I was young, I had hopes. We all did didn't we? I dreamed of being a warrior for God. I remember reading the bible, Acts was my favorite book. I dreamed of doing what they did.
As the years went by I was told many things. By people telling me directly, or indirectly communicating, that these things did not happen. That to actually believe in such things is foolishness.
Set your sights lower they said. Aim for the high standards of this world.
So I did, I set my sights on such things and let hope die... It nearly ruined me. I was living a lie. I was created for a life of passion and love with God. I was trying to be a person who God never intended me to be! I was depressed, unfulfilled, angry, sad, bitter, and hopelessly desperate.
I was blessed to have some people in my life who said to me what if we believed what God said? What if we read this book, the bible and actually believed the words that were written? My journey of hope started then.
Since then there have been many trials, many pains. Many setbacks. Even until this year I was so hesitant of saying out loud what I truly wanted in my heart because I was afraid . I was afraid of it not taking place.
God desired however that I choose hope. That I choose life. That I choose faith over those things that would seek to lay me down.
So I chose to say yes when he called me into missions. I had no money, no experience, very little training. But God said it would be good for me to do it. So I said to Him, I choose to believe what You said. Over the last year I have seen around $17,000 pass through my hands. I have been to 7 different countries, and seen hundreds of people saved. I have seen people receive the hope of Jesus Christ, I have seen the Holy Spirit speak to people. I have seen Him break addictions and pour out His love. I have seen people be set free from demonic oppression, and seen people physically healed many times.
But He says that is only a taste of what is to come. It is easy to let doubt reign. To let cynicism take over. When the world encourages me to do this, and and even my own heart says "Don't go too far! Be careful! Don't get hurt again".
I choose to trust my God. I don't know where it will take me. But I know that it awakens me like nothing else. I am alive in a way I never knew before.
Jesus Came to bring life to the full. (John 10:10). He restored hope, he brought life, and he conquered death.
You have a future, and it's a good one. God has plans for you, and they are good. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I ask you, in spite of the circumstances. I spite of what everybody may be telling you, and in spite of what your heart may say... Will you trust Him?
Will you choose Hope?
He is asking you to dream bigger! In the last 30 years we have seen God move more in our world than at any other time in history. But it is only the beginning. The Fathers of our faith are cheering for us from heaven, they are yelling out to us run the race for which you were called! They see that God has commissioned us to do greater things than what has ever been seen before.
So I say to you dream big! What are the desires that He has placed in your heart? That you have repressed for so long? Awaken them! Live in hope, He has a plan for you and wants to set your life on fire, press into Him, and you will see wonders.
Jesus I pray that every heart would be awakened in Hope today. I pray that as people have been reading this, you would stir up their hearts to hope in you. Hope in Your word. I know that you never fail, and that whoever puts their trust in you will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:11)
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
May His hope live in your heart, and His grace cover your life!
Daniel