Living Life Successfully - Praying in Hope

Preached by Ps Jude Blayney

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Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen

Romans 5:1-5

V2 Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

V5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes a heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Lamentations 3:26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Greek word for Hope is 'elpis' and it means a confident expectation of good.

Hope is not just an expectation of good, it is a confident expectation. Too many people walk through life expecting good without the confidence that it's actually going to happen. When we base our lives on a false hope, on hope that is just an expectation we can and often do fall flat on our faces. No confidence and the hope becomes mere fantasy or unfounded dream. When confidence is shot people's lives become based on fantasy rather than real hope.

God wants and desires us to have real hope. He wants us to live life successfully with confidence in the future. With an assurance that what He has done is enough for us now and in the future.

There are two types of Hope

1. One that disappoints

This can either be a hope that destroys your life or a hope that is deferred for a later time.

1. Hope of something that is far beyond what currently exists.
     i. E.g. Winning millions of dollars in Lotto or Powerball.
     ii. This kind of hope is not hope at all; rather it is fantasy.
2. Hope based on a faulty foundation
     i. Someone's ability
     ii. Something that isn't strong enough
     iii. On your own limited knowledge
     iv. On your own strength

2. One that doesn't disappoint.

This can either be a hope that is like a tree of life or one that is deferred for a later date.

Based on a firm foundation

1. We trust something that is bigger better and faster than us
   1. Romans 5:5 the foundation mentioned here is the love of God. It's a sure foundation. Not based on what we do or are but on what God does and on who He is.
2. We have something that is evidence
   1. An inner assurance - unwavering
   2. A boss or friend wanting to talk with you
   3. A phone call or text message
   4. A word of encouragement eg. Card, scripture, prophetic word.

How do we develop Hope in our lives? 1. Hang around with happening people

1. Hope in the bible is linked to the gathering together of people. We need to gather together to encourage one another and support one another but also to draw from the successes of others.
2. We need to learn to rejoice with others as this gives us a fresh hope that one day we will rejoice in our own success.

2. Write down your dreams/visions

• Be specific. How can we build hope if we have nothing to hope for?

3. Pick one you ca begin to work on

• Start small build big

4. Test/ try, see if it's for real.

• Romans 5:4-5 Hope is built or comes from the experiences of life.
  Character is best translated experience. As we begin to experience life, we gain hope that things will turn out okay. Getting enough of the good will lead too more good.

How do we maintain Hope?

1. Keep the vision before your eyes

2. Speak to your future not about the past

3. Don't fantasize about how.

1. Fantasy disables the future by making it something from the past
2. Fantasy leads to frustration with the present

Do you live the dream or live dreaming?

Learn to love the journey