NEW HOPE!

There is nothing more encouraging to the soul than new hope when it comes! John the Baptist said that no man receives anything that isn't given from above. Whether we realize it or not, we are all under that 'law' or 'spiritual' principle'. In this world many folks give their lives to aquire wealth to the exclusion of family relationships. They burn up their time on this palnet in the pursuit of that which is fleeting and while doing so are robbed of the most precious and meaningful time they could ever know. Jesus said 'What does it profit if a man (or woman) gains the whole world and loses his (or her)own soul.' God himself is the author or the priceless substance of 'encouragement ' or 'new hope'. Only He can bring forth new life from a dead thing. It only takes one touch from the God of heaven. How do we receive that 'one touch' to bring life to us ? Jesus said it in such a simple way that a child could understand. 'Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God....believe also in Me.' That word is the same word used to describe what you do when you recline yourself on a couch. You trust yourself to it. We need to realize we are dealing with a Person, not an organization or church. We need to get 'vertical' as to our realtionship with Him and count the opinions of men (horizontal) as nothing. He used the contrast between love and hate to describe what our attitude needs to be. This is a choice to turn once and for all from our earthly (horizontal) activities and 'go vertical' 'Seek first the kingdom of God, and all the things you worry about will be taken care of' Once we, by the grace of God have engaged ourselves in this way and turn to Him alone, we are ready to receive from above the substance of that which is eternal. In Him we find all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge. To be touched by heaven is to receive new hope indeed!