HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Hope Is For You

Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

IS THIS TRUE FOR US?

· Does God have good plans for you?

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10

· Will God’s plans prosper you?

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. – 3 John 1:2

· Does God have hope for you?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.- Romans 15:13

· Does God have a future for you?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

WAS IT TRUE IN JEREMIAH’S TIME?

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. – Jeremiah 29:1

Build houses … plant gardens … 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters … 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. – Jeremiah 29:5,6,7

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.” – Jeremiah 29:10

OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

1. Trials Bring Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. We Are Strangers In This World

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. - John 15:19 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. God Always Keeps His Promises

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOPE FOR HEALING

Hope Is For You

Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

If you obey all his commands and keep his rules, I will not bring on you any of the sicknesses I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord who heals you.” - Exodus 15:26

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. - Psalm 103:3

Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ - Luke 10:9

1. The Healing of Your Spirit

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. - Luke 1:46-47

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” – John 3:3

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. – John 3:6

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? - Corinthians 3:16

2. The Healing of Your Soul

INTELLECT --- “Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows it well.” - Psalm 139:14; “My soul continually remembers.” - Lamentations 3:20

EMOTION --- “The soul of all the people was bitter…” - 1 Samuel 30:6; “You whom my soul loves.” - Song of Solomon 1:7

WILL --- “So that my soul would choose…” – Job 7:15; “My soul refuses…” - Job 6:7

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” – Matthew 16:23

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

3. The Healing of Your Body

Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. – Isaiah 53:4

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. – Isaiah 53:5

[Jesus] healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” – Matthew 8:16-17

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2:24

Hope Is For You

Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:26-28

JESUS HAS A SPECIAL HEART FOR THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE OUTSIDERS

· Fishermen Were Chosen As His Disciples

· Women Were On His Ministry Team

· Tax Collectors Were At His Dinner Table

· Lepers Received His Healing Touch

No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord. - Deuteronomy 23:1

EUNUCH READING FROM ISAIAH

Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. - Acts 8:32-35

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE AN OUTSIDER

1. God Knows Where You Are

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. – Acts 8:26 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. God Knows What You Need

So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. – Acts 8:30-31

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. God Gives You His Word

And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” – Acts 8:29-30

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. God Gives You A Fresh Start

And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. – Acts 8:38 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW LIVES FOR OLD

Reset

Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. – Colossians 3:1

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:3

1. Put Off The Old Self

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices. – Colossians 3:9

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. – Colossians 3:5

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. – Colossians 3:8

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Put On The New Self

And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:10

THE POWER OF THE RENEWED LIFE

· Growing In Unity

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. – Colossians 3:11

· Growing In Compassion

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. – Colossians 3:12

· Growing In Forgiveness

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Colossians 3:13

· Growing In Love

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14

· Growing In Peace

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Share Your New Life With Others

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RENEW YOUR STRENGTH

Reset

Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

· Physical strength

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11

· Mental Strength

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind … - Romans 12:2

· Spiritual Strength

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you … - Acts 1:8

HOW TO RENEW YOUR STENGTH

1. Put Your Hope In The Lord

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. – Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; - Isaiah 40:30

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Aim Higher

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Get Moving

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. – Philippians 3:13

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RENEW YOUR MIND

Reset

Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. - Colossians 3:2 AMP

HOW TO RENEW YOUR MIND

1. Surrendered Your Feelings

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1

2. Recognize God’s Will

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

3. Choose To Be Transformed

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

RENEWAL RECALIBRATES RELATIONSHIPS

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. – Romans 12:3

For as in one body we have many members …5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. – Romans 12:4

1. Renewed Thoughts About Jesus

And he [Paul] said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. – Acts 9:5

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:8

2. Renewed Thoughts About People You Don’t Like

They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I [Paul] have lived as a Pharisee. – Acts 26:5 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. - 1 Timothy 2:7

3. Renewed Thoughts About Lost Friends

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. – Acts 15:37

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:

Reset – Part 1

Scott Young.com – Pastor of HOPE

NEEDED RESTORATION :: PETER’S DOWNWARD DRIFT

1. Lack Of Prayer

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:40-41

2. Action Without Direction

And behold, one of those who were with Jesus [Peter] stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. – Matthew 26:51

3. Distant Discipleship

And Peter was following him [Jesus] at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. – Matthew 26:58

4. Drawn To The Enemy’s Fire

And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. – Luke 22:55

5. Denying Your Faith

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” – Luke 22:61

STEPS TO RESTORATION

Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. – John 21:5-6

1. Remember Jesus Is Lord

That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. – John 21:7

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Draw Close To Jesus

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” – John 21:9-10

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Return To Your First Love

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” … 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” … 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” – John 21:15,16,17

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Follow Jesus

And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” – John 21:19

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

THINK AND BE BLESSED Summer In The Psalms Scott Young.com – Pastor Of Hope

THREE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

1. Think About What Needs To Stop

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. – Psalm 1:1 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Think About God’s View

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:2

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOW TO ENJOY MEDITATION AND PRAYER

· Find A Quiet Place "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” - Matthew 6:6 MSG

· Cast Your Cares Onto God Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

· Ask The Holy Spirit To Reveal Jesus To You

He [The Holy Spirit] will glorify me [Jesus], for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. - John 16:14

· Be Still And Know God “Be still, and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10

· Think About Scriptures This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8

· Experience God You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Think About Prospering

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:3

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 46 – Where are You…God?

Summer in the Psalms

Pastor Peter Young

Why Is It That We Feel Alone?

We Look At Ourselves - Elijah

“I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” -1 Kings 19:4

We Look At Our Circumstances - Job

“Terrors overwhelm me…my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.”

-Job 30:15-17

We Look At Others - Moses

“But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” -Exodus 32:32

Where To Look When You Feel Alone – Look To God!

1. God With Us…Surrounding Us

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah. -Psalm 46:1-3

We Are Within Him I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust!” -Psalm 91:2

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

2. God With Us…Above It All

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; -Psalm 46:4-5

We Go To The Holy Place

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. -Psalm 46:6-7

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

3. God Is With Us…Within Us

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -Psalm 46:10

Not Only Are We In Him But He Dwells Within Us

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. -Psalm 46:11

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

THE BLESSING OF TAKING A BREAK

Summer In The Psalms

Scott Young.com – Pastor of HOPE

Psalm 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.

WHEN YOU FEEL YOU’RE BREAKING … TAKE A BREAK

1. A Break To Give Thanks

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. - Psalm 34:1 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. - Psalm 34:2 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. - Psalm 34:3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. A Break From Fear

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. … 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. - Psalm 34:4-7 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. A Break To Strengthen Your Soul

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

- Psalm 34:8

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. A Break To See The Big Picture

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. - Psalm 34:11 Promotes Honesty Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. - Psalm 34:12

Brings Peace Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

- Psalm 34:14 Turns The Table On Troubles The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17 Brings You Closer To God The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________