Hebrew 11:1-3

 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
2This is what the ancients were commended for.  3By faith we understand that
the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made
out of what was visible.
 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what
had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only
together with us would they be made perfect.

MEDITATION
1. If time allows, read all Hebrews 11, but focus on verses 1-3 and 39-40.
2. This familiar passage is often called the Faith Hall of Fame.  Some of the
people listed made great personal sacrifices to bring glory to God.  We’ve
all heard, and possibly even uttered, the saying “seeing is believing”.  The
writer of Hebrews begins with a definition of faith.  Faith, he writes, is “being
sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.  So, really, not
seeing… is believing.
3. Pray: By God’s grace I want to live to the end in faith, knowing that I will
not receive the promises on earth, but seeing them and welcoming them
from a distance, I confess that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth.
Instead, I long for a better country, a heavenly one.  In this way, God will not
be ashamed to be called my God, for He has prepared a city for me.  Like
Moses, may I esteem reproach for the sake of Christ as of greater value than
the treasures of this world, because I am looking to the reward.

Personal Note: God, I believe in your promise.  I am certain you are my God and you love us.

Hebrew 6:13-20

13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater
for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and
give you many descendants.” 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received
what was promised.
 16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what
is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things
in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope
offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become
a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION
1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and
“hope”.
2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair,
suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”,
“unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or
phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy,
anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks
like.

Personal Note:
We need hope in everything.  Hope is defined as future certainty grounded in present reality.  Everything in this world is uncertain.  We may hope to enter into a good university.  We may hope to enter into a good career.  We may hope to find a soul mate.  We may hope to have good friends.  In reality, all those things are uncertain.

The only source of hope is from God.  Practically speaking, I am planning for the strategic direction of PGC English ministry.  At times, I fear and worry that I will fail as a leader.  My hope is in God's promise, God's character, God's power at work in the lives of the teenagers.  The culture and the circumstances are beyond what my human wisdom can handle, but I trust that through God's grace, I can love them and lead them.

Titus 2:11-14

 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It
teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled,
upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the
blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Meditation
1. Paul has a rather long string of exhortations, judgments, and condemnations
for the flock under Titus’ leadership. But now he puts his rebuke in the
context of the gospel. The hard admonitions of the preceding verses ought
to be balanced with this affirmation of faith. Grace comes to all. Yet salvation
has an ethical component: renouncing and training, letting go of our old
selves in order to embrace our new selves in Christ.
2. Ask God to guide me in one or all of these growth:
 □ turning my back on “ungodliness and worldly passions”
 □ taking on a “self-controlled, upright and godly” life
 □ believing that this new life is starting right now “in this present age”
 □ being “eager to do what is good”
 □ other: __________________________________________

Personal Note:
The grace of God is the forgiveness of sins.  When I reflect, when was a time when worldly passion brings joy and peace?  When I live self controlled and upright lives, having hope in Christ, I have joy and peace myself and I naturally was eager to bring this joy and peace to others around me.