I Hope, Hope You Do Too

On August 25, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

1 Peter 1: 3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

This new life that was wrought for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus is a new beginning with new hope; and it is a living hope, one that does not fade, pass away or expire. It is new everyday just as your life is renewed every day. God caused you to be born again so that you could have a new life full of hope and joy. The resurrection has purchased for you not only a new lease on life but a new life altogether.

And where you did not have hope, you now can. His abundant mercy has caused us to be reborn. Now in that new life, you can have new hope. Even if you were born again years ago, you still have new hope. Just laying your hands on this scripture gives you reason to revitalize old dreams and build new ones. There is no hopelessness in Christ Jesus.

I have often thought about evangelism and what it is that makes being a Christian so wonderful. When I do, I think that having hope is one of the truly great things about being a Christian. No matter how dire a situation, we always have hope because we have a loving Lord who lives to make intercession for us; to give us life and a hope. Those without Christ must live a pretty traumatic life. But you don’t have to. In all things, he is able. And he is willing.

There is no situation of life that should keep you from hope. You have a living hope through Christ Jesus. The resurrection has brought you into new life. This kind of life that Jesus purchased for you has revitalized, new hope in its wings each morning.

Our hope and faith are in you dear Lord.

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Tabula Rasa

On January 1, 2024   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

1 Peter 1: 3

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life.

Tabula Rasa is Latin for blank slate. Empiricists like John Locke argued that the mind begins as a blank slate which experience then writes upon. I use this term to think of the spiritual, social, economic, education, familial and all other experiences which write upon our souls making our lives what they are today. In large part, we are living the life that our experiences, educational and otherwise, have developed into belief patterns. That is to say, it is not only our experiences which have molded our lives but what we believe about those experiences. Years of situations and our reactions to those situations have written upon our hearts. What you read affects your beliefs and what movies you watch. All these things write on the tablet of your heart for good and for ill. Here is the good news though, it is New Year’s Day – if you will allow me, it is Tabula Rasa Day.

Every January 1st we get a new lease on life. Many people embrace this idea wholeheartedly. I am one of those. Apparently, so was Peter. From this passage we learn that we have reason to have great confidence because we have a new life in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! If you have been following the Word of the Day for a while, you will know that I believe any day can be your Tabula Rasa day. If you feel you need a reset, then you can declare any day to be your personal January 1, your start over with a clean slate day!

Consider this from the Apostle Paul; 2 Corinthians 5: 17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” He understood that on any given day, we can boldly declare that old things have passed away and all things are new. That is the promise of the New Year. That is the promise of every single day in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as we celebrated his birth last week, today we celebrate the new life he gave us. We are born again. Our life is renewed in him.

I hope this gives you cause to celebrate because it is good news you can use. If there are any habits or beliefs which are not contributing to the life you want, erase them today. They are old and old things have passed away. Those things which are written on your heart that invite life and joy, renew those in Jesus’ name.

Now, do this with me – wipe the slate of your heart blank. See it white and clean. As you look upon it, see God writing on it. What does He write on your heart? He will restore and renew those old memories which are life affirming, those which build you up. Then He will write new messages on your heart. See His will, hear His words. Muster up all your courage to believe what He says. Return to your whiteboard daily and read what the Master has to say about you.

Today is a new day with a new life in Christ. I call you to celebrate your new life which begins anew today. Rejoice. Christ was born and came to give you new life. Glory to God on High for His majesty and grace. Praise Him all you His beloved for the new thing He wants to do in your life today. Praise to His name and may His light shine upon your face every day of 2024!

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