Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} In this difficult economy that has affected all of us; we sometimes wonder does God care? Why is He silent? Will I ever be delivered from joblessness? Is there hope for the future? My prayer for you all is that regardless of your situation that you do not give up hope. God is involved, even when you may not be aware of His presense.
Some time ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope!
Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for mere rodents, how much greater should its effect be on our lives?
You see that is what God did for us at Christmas. When the people of Israel thought it was hopeless, God reached down to this earth through the birth of His Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And suddenly the world again was infused with Hope! And that same hope is present today. Yes, these may be difficult times, but God said He would never leave us nor forsake us. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and as we SEE Jesus in the little things it will give us hope to believe Him for bigger things.
There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them. Don’t give up Hope this Christmas.
Some time ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope!
Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for mere rodents, how much greater should its effect be on our lives?
You see that is what God did for us at Christmas. When the people of Israel thought it was hopeless, God reached down to this earth through the birth of His Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And suddenly the world again was infused with Hope! And that same hope is present today. Yes, these may be difficult times, but God said He would never leave us nor forsake us. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and as we SEE Jesus in the little things it will give us hope to believe Him for bigger things.
There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them. Don’t give up Hope this Christmas.
