THE THINGS HOPED FOR

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Distractions and a Confusing World

1 Corinthians 13:12 (TPT)

‘For now, we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face.

My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood.

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Our Vision of Hope

1 Corinthians 13:13 (TPT)

Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all.

So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. ‘

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Hope, Love, and Faith Linked to Inspiring a First Love Lifestyle

Love inspires a deep faith

Deep faith creates an unconquerable hope.

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A love that allows us to face the unknown with hope!

Loving beyond our understanding is the highest expression of our hope.

Being loved beyond our understanding is the highest expression of our faith.

The Story of A Blind Man

Mark 10:52 TPT

Jesus responded, “Your faith heals you. Go in peace, with your sight restored.” All at once, the man’s eyes opened, and he could see again, and he began at once to follow Jesus, walking down the road with him.

The blind man’s faith clarified and helped him embrace the possibility of the unknown with such a HOPE that it became a reality.

His life had vision again! He didn’t just get his sight back; he got his hope back!

Once Hope was restored, He followed. He lived out a First Love Lifestyle.

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Hope and faith give us eyes to love and be loved by our First Love!

Many people can see with their eyes but not with their faith and hope!

“For the believer, there is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.” -Billy Graham.

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We can see the grave, but we can hope in eternity – because of our love of Christ.

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1 Peter 1:3-6 (TPT)

Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you! Through our faith, the mighty power of God constantly guards us until our full salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy, even though lately you’ve had to put up with the grief of many trials.

Life has a peculiar way of stealing our hope. When hope goes, faith goes. When our faith is depleted, our love becomes mediocre.

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Background

Habakkuk—Not a lot of information.

One of twelve minor prophets—Temple musician/priest.

As a prophet, he would speak to the people on behalf of God and God on behalf of the people.

He lived in an exciting time—six hundred years before Jesus when the Nation of Judah was on a downhill slide. Disobedience and distractions had robbed them of their love of the law.

If you had shares in Judah, you would be watching the share price plummet. It had once been the most prosperous of all the nations of the earth, but now it was impoverished where injustice and corruption abounded.

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Habakkuk had lost hope. He lost faith and had lost his first love!

He was ticked off with God and the people! Tweezer lips.

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HE ASKS QUESTIONS AT THE