Good morning hope-filled ones!

JESUS IS OUR LIVING HOPE, hope for now and hope for the future. In 1 Corinthians 15, we read about the glorious fact that JESUS is the first fruits. This is similar to how a farmer looks out over his land and sees the first ears of corn. He knows that the harvest is on its way.

In the same way that JESUS OUR LORD has been risen from the dead, so have we. 1 John 4:17 says,

• As He is, so are we in this world.

The LORD JESUS CHRIST is getting His Church ready to go home. He says in Ephesians 5:26-27,

• That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Take a look with me at 1 Peter 1:3. It says,

• Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

We are going to be changed – this is a wonderful truth! What A LIVING HOPE it is!

JESUS CHRIST has risen and has become the first fruits, and so now, we have this glorious hope that we shall also be changed. Beloved, God wants us to see the preciousness of it. It’ll drive away the dullness of life.

JESUS gave everything for us. We are His priceless treasure. Remember when He tells the parable of the pear of great value in Matthew 13:45-46? It says,

• The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

JESUS purchased the field because of the pearl of great price. We are the pearl of great price for all time. Our inheritance is in heaven and in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, we are told to comfort one another with these words.

What better thing can we ask for in life than the hope that in a little while, we will be changed? 1 Peter 1:4 says,

• …to an inheritance incorruptible and undefined and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.

This inheritance is in you, something that has been done for you. This inheritance is incorruptible. It’ll never fade away. 1 John 3:2 says,

• Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

There’s something so wonderful about being undefiled and becoming more and more beautiful! God’s grace is flowing toward you and me so that we will be able to grasp it.

He has prepared a place for us; a place that will be so beautiful, with no fear of anyone taking it. It’s been reserved for us. Have you ever been to a stadium where you had reserved seats? You could walk in any time because that seat has been reserved for you. In the same way, JESUS knows just what we want. He’s reserved a place for us in heaven – a priceless inheritance – an inheritance kept in heaven for you, pure and undefined, beyond the reach of change or decay.

Did you know that 1 Peter 1:5 says that we are being guarded and kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time?

He goes on to say in verses 6-7,

• In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST.

Family, the trial of your faith is much more precious than gold that perishes. We must give our all and completely yield to God so that as our Great Refiner puts us into the melting pot, we come forth as pure gold! We want to see His glorious image reflected in us! The Scripture declares in 2 Corinthians 3:16-17,

• Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I exhort you to be steadfast and immovable in seeking Him today.

How can we be sad, hang our heads, or be distressed? Oh, if we only knew how rich we are! Blessed be the Name of the LORD forevermore!

Living in hope,

Lisa Gordon

Jesus City Church

Glastonbury, CT