Hope in 2011

Proverbs 13:12 (New International Version, ©2010)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

When our dreams and hopes are not fullfilled our hearts are broken. Yet when a dream comes true we are fullfilled.

What are your dreams for 2011? Is it for political party A to crush political party B? Or perhaps political party C come in and crush them all? Perhaps a better job with more money so you can get a bigger house or better car. Perhaps you want to lose weight or get out of debt. Some of you will want to quit smoking or swear off some habit they've been unable to shake.

Points to ponder:

1. What is the source of your hope?
2. How does God fit into your dreams for 2011?

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version, ©2010)
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Your hope needs to be in the LORD. God did create government, but they are not to be the source of our hope. Governments will fail us. If you're relying on your own strength, it will eventually fail and your dreams with it.

Psalm 37:4-5 (New International Version, ©2010)
4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

When you commit your way to the LORD, your desires will change. That bigger car becomes unimportant. The movie you "have to see" become secondary. All the stuff that the marketing industry has shoved down your throat as important will been seen for the tempory tripe that it is.

As we enter 2011, let's remember the words of Paul when he wrote to the church at Colossae. Only then will our hopes and dreams be fulfilled.

Colossians 3:1-3 (New International Version, ©2010)
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.