I want to be open to recognize examples of hope, and I find them in various situations and places. I didn’t expect to find hope in a tiny magazine ad and certainly not an ad for help with speech impediments, but I did.
The ad was only about 2″ x 5″, but its photo of Winston Churchill caught my attention. I admire Churchill as a WWII hero and a great historical figure. I took a minute to read the ad and found hope.
I think too few today appreciate the greatness of people like Churchill and their tremendous contribution to the cause for freedom in the WWII-era world. However my intention today is not to share hope of the Greatest Generation and an Allied victory but to focus on this particular ad.
According to the ad, Winston Churchill stuttered. Yet he became the voice that inspired his British countrymen during dark days of war. It is remarkable that he overcame stuttering to deliver some of the most influential speeches in 20th century world history.
Whether or not your personal challenge is stuttering, each of us had, has, or will have obstacles to overcome. I find hope when someone clearly accomplishes success and sometimes even greatness despite the struggle.
Let’s be on the lookout for hope. It may be nearer than we think and often where we least expect it.
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
John Newton was a cruel and vile man who seemed beyond hope, but he became an example of God’s amazing grace. His true story gives me hope, because his heart and life were so radically changed. The same amazing grace that transformed Newton brought hope to his contemporaries and still reaches our generation with hope today. Newton was a man of whom I could believe that if God would give him a hope and a future, then He will do the same for me.
In Newton’s own words from his diary…(March 21, 1748): “On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.”
And 57 years to the day later… (March 21, 1805): “Not well able to write; but I endeavor to observe the return of this day with humiliation, prayer, and praise.”
Of Newton and his ministry… from Christianity.com:
“Only God’s amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God. Newton never ceased to stand in awe of God’s work in his life.
…in 1764, at the age of thirty-nine, John Newton began forty-three years of preaching the Gospel of Christ.
In 1779 Newton left Olney to become rector of St. Mary Woolnoth in London. His ministry included not only the London poor and the merchant class but also the wealthy and influential. William Wilberforce, a member of Parliament and a prime mover in the abolition of slavery, was strongly influenced by John Newton’s life and preaching. Newton’s ‘Thoughts on the African Slave Trade,’ based on his own experiences as a slave trader, was very important in securing British abolition of slavery. Missionaries William Carey and Henry Martyn also gained strength from Newton’s counsel.
For the Sunday evening services, Newton often composed a hymn which developed the lessons and Scripture for the evening. In 1779, two hundred and eighty of these were collected and combined with sixty-eight hymns by Newton’s friend and parishioner, William Cowper, and published as the Olney Hymns.
The most famous of all the Olney Hymns, ‘Faith’s Review and Expectation,’ grew out of David’s exclamation in 1 Chronicles 17:16-17.* We know it today as ‘Amazing Grace.’
Newton lived to be eighty-two years old and continued to preach and have an active ministry until beset by fading health in the last two or three years of his life. Even then, Newton never ceased to be amazed by God’s grace and told his friends, ‘My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.'”
The words of the beloved hymn penned by John Newton acknowledges God’s amazing grace as he experienced in his own life.
AMAZING GRACE
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
T’was grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
Thru many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.” (John Newton)
“Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.” (John Newton)
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, … to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2)
* “And David the king came and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me to here? And yet this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; for You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come and have regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.’” (I Chronicles 17:16, 17)
According to “The Hill” News on December 25, 2018, the Iraqi government issued this announcement: “The Iraqi Cabinet has made Christmas Day, Dec. 25, a national holiday across its entire country.”
I believe this news brings hope for Christians in Iraq, who may now celebrate CHRISTmas openly. Because of the tragic history of persecution in Iraq by the Islamic State, I confess this announcement caught me by surprise. I consider it a huge blessing and pray for Iraqi Christians to be encouraged and filled with hope. I also pray that enemies of Christ will come to know the CHRIST of CHRISTmas personally and experience His hope, love, and peace.
A government tweet stated Monday this CHRISTmas greeting: ‘Happy Christmas to our Christian citizens, all Iraqis and to all who are celebrating around the world,’ and added Tuesday, ‘We extend our warmest wishes to Christians in Iraq and around the world for a very happy and peaceful Christmas.”
I am thankful that CHRISTmas hope still continues to be found on our planet!
This is the month that many will celebrate Christmas, yet some seem oblivious to the Reason for the Season. Christmas is (or is meant to be) a celebration of the birth of a baby like no other. He is God’s gift to the world, given because He loves us so much. His plan is for humanity to believe in His only begotten Son, so we may live with Him forever. His Son, Jesus Christ, is the real reason for the season of joy.
I prefer to write it as CHRISTmas to honor Christ. There is no CHRISTmas without Christ. Of course, many people (including some believers) celebrate without giving a passing thought to Jesus Christ the Messiah when He should be our primary focus.
Some forget it’s a holy day and spend it merely as a holiday as they shop for expensive yet unappreciated gifts, indulge in excessive candy, party nonstop, drink heavily, decorate to impress, focus on fun traditions that include Santa, Rudolf, the Grinch, elves, and more.
I don’t want to rain on your CHRISTmas parade, but I suggest an evaluation to make sure we keep priorities in proper order. Don’t miss the most important reason for “Joy to the World” ever!
Having priorities out of order causes one to feel stressed and depressed, have little peace in one’s heart, and unlikely to express good will toward humanity.
The reality of God’s CHRISTmas gift and His love gives hope and results in peace and joy when we accept His free gift. There’s no better way to celebrate CHRISTmas than truly knowing hope, joy, and the real Reason for the Season.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and Peace on earth! Goodwill toward men!'” (Luke 2:11-14)
“Joy to the World! The Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!”
(George Fredrick Handel)
Via my auditory memories I can hear my children’s voices singing, “My only hope is You….” Almost 30 years ago at summer camp in Kiamichi hills of eastern Oklahoma we learned this song written by Keith Lancaster.
It blessed my heart to hear the truth of the message in the simple lyrics, the sweet tune, and their precious voices singing of our hope… peace… joy.
Past, present, or future all that I need is Jesus, because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
MY ONLY HOPE IS YOU
My only hope is You, Jesus,
My only hope is You.
From early in the morning to late at night,
My only hope is You.
My only peace is You, Jesus,
My only peace is You.
From early in the morning to late at night,
My only peace is You.
My only joy is You, Jesus,
My only joy is You.
From early in the morning to late at night,
My only joy is You.
All that I need is You, Jesus,
All that I need is You.
From early in the morning to late at night,
All that I need is You.
My only hope is You, Jesus,
My only hope is You.
From early in the morning to late at night,
My only hope is You.
From early in the morning to late at night,
My only hope is You.
(Keith Lancaster)
I watched 1971 TV to see Colonel James Irwin, fourth man on the moon and first to explore by Lunar Rover. It was history-in-the-making to us earthlings and especially meaningful to Jim. His experiences totally changed his life and future direction.
“When I looked out and saw the earth about as big as a little marble, I thought, ‘How big am I?’
I am just a speck of dust — if that big — compared to the universe. Yet this little speck has the capacity to know God! To know the One Who holds the universe, to know His love and have His direction.
For the first time I saw, felt God’s love for the earth…. I realized then that God loved that little blue marble, that little blue planet.
He loved all the billions of people on it, and He loved me! I realized at that moment that my relationship with Jesus Christ was the most precious thing I had.” (Jim Irwin)
The following year Jim resigned from a career he loved to follow his higher calling and to fulfill his purpose. He founded High Flight Foundation and devoted the rest of his life to spread a message of God’s love and to share his own relationship with Jesus Christ. By faith Jim understood, “God walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon.”
Jim had followed his dream since he was a kid and had prepared for years for his lunar experience. He may not have anticipated his personal encounter with the Creator as he viewed planet earth from such a vantage point, but it was planned before either that planet called Earth or a baby named James Irwin was formed.
Jim Irwin had enough hope in His Creator to trust God’s guidance to change his own life’s direction and to enjoy God’s great love that he knew he was meant to share. The same hope is available for us. We may never view the earth from the moon, but we can see God’s glory as we look up at the night sky when we open our eyes and hearts for hope to know our Creator.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
For more of Jim’s hopeful story, please read MORE THAN EARTHLINGS: AN ASTRONAUT’S THOUGHTS FOR CHRIST-CENTERED LIVING and other books by Jim Irwin.
Dear Lord, You know I’ve prayed for her… for her grandparents… for her mother… for her children… for her to have a future and a hope. I realize You love her and patiently waited for her. You created her, knew her so well… knew even the number of hairs on her head. You saw her pain… and the pain of those who love her.
You understood her need for Your redemption… for Your power to change her direction… for Your joy in her life… for Your wisdom to trust You… for Your peace that passes all understanding… for Your faithfulness… even when she felt hopeless.
The dark night was real, but Your Word says joy comes in the morning! Tuesday morning brought that joy when she called her grandmother from rehab. It was the call long awaited. She at last had reached the end of herself… and the beginning of new life in Christ!
May she choose to be filled daily with Your Spirit… to find strength in Your joy… to walk in Your Way, Truth, and Life. May she experience Your hope… to pray, to grow, to share Your love. May she model godliness… as a woman… mother… daughter… granddaughter… friend….
Thank You, Lord, for the miracle of a new heart… a new hope… and a new future. Amen.
(The above prayer was inspired by true events in the life of a real person. Her recent decision brings hope to me, so I’m sharing.)
In countless churches and worship gatherings across the planet you are likely to hear the song, “You Are My All In All” and other songs by Dennis Jernigan. He is a song writer, an author, a worship leader, a husband for more than 30 years, a father to 9 children, and a grandfather.
Dennis and Melinda Jernigan call their story a story of hope. Jernigan has experienced freedom from his former homosexual identity since 1981, and in sharing his story he shares God’s love and grace. His heart’s desire is for others to embrace their true identity in Christ.
If you are hurting… are needing freedom to live as God intended… are seeking His love and grace, then I invite you to visit Dennisjernigan.com for a story of hope!
