Author: Sarah Jefferson

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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HOME

 

As we wrap up our time together this week in this beautiful verse, I hope you’ve begun to understand what a gift Jesus’ birth and life are to us. 

 

We were hopeless, sinners eternally condemned. He humbled himself and came as a baby, lived fully God and fully man in the person of Jesus, suffered and died the death we deserved, and rose again from the dead. 

 

Why? Why would He do that? Oh dear friend, because that’s how much he loves us! He came to redeem us! That is our hope in this life!

 

John 1:14 says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

 

You see, He came and made his home among us that we might build our lives on him. 

 

Where have you placed your hope in this life? Who or what are you looking to for joy and peace? Only Jesus can satisfy. Build your life on him, living in the pages of his word, empowered by his Spirit to all he’s calling you to—only there will you truly be Home!

 

PRAY: Jesus, what can we say? You are more than enough. What a gift you are to us! Forgive us when we forget. Help us to love you, love others, and live sent. Amen.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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EMPOWERED

 

If yesterday’s discussion on obedience left you feeling frustrated that you’re not further along, you’re not alone. Paul said it best when he confessed, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15)

 

So, where do we learn how to love and obey God? In the Bible alone. 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 

 

I often think, I could be a much better follower of Jesus if he walked around here with me. Wouldn’t that be something? Jesus knew this would be in all of us who follow Him. Just before his crucifixion, He comforted his disciples, saying, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26) 

 

We can’t overlook the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our ability to believe, obey, and ultimately be filled with joy, peace, and hope is the beautiful, empowering handiwork of the Holy Spirit. He is our source for all that God is calling us to.

 

As you begin this day, spend some time being honest about all you might be trying to accomplish in your own power. Now, begin to imagine what your life and your calling might begin to look like, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Friends, He can do abundantly more than you could ever dare to dream!

 

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to power that is at work with us, to Him be the glory …” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

PRAY: I need you, Holy Spirit. Empower me to glorify you in all that you ordain for me today. Amen.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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BELIEVE

 

During the Christmas season, the word “believe” is tossed around quite a bit. I immediately think of the scene near the end of the movie The Polar Express where the conductor frantically punches holes in the child’s ticket, and much to his surprise, it says, “Believe.”

 

The pages of scripture are filled with the call to believe. In John 6:47, Jesus tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” And for many of us, we would quickly say, “I do believe!”

 

Belief, by definition, is accepting something as true, and oftentimes, it begins and ends there. 

Yet, James 2:19 doesn’t mince words: You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shutter.

 

When it comes to Jesus, we can’t stop with just believing. He is the creator and sustainer of all things—including you and me. And He created us with one purpose—for His own glory (Isaiah 43:6-7). So, we must ask ourselves, “How do we glorify God?” By loving him and doing what he commands. Simply put—obedience to his word.

 

“For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.” James 2:26 AMP

 

You see, believing in Jesus reveals our greatest need—salvation. However, believing also spurs us on to become followers of Jesus and sacrificially living out His call on our lives. Through the act of obedience to his word, he faithfully fills us with joy and peace, and, ultimately, hope. 

 

As you begin this day, stop and think of where your life can begin to move from a simple belief in God to a hope-filled obedience to his word so that you might live for His glory. That’s where the beauty is. Don’t miss it!

 

PRAY: Jesus, you are our greatest need. Yes, for salvation—but we need you in all things at all times! Give us a hunger and thirst for your word so that we might move from being consumers of your word to doers of your word. Help us to love you more so that we might love others and live sent.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (CSB)

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SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

 

Yesterday, we talked about the God of all hope. And today, the question begs to be asked, “How does he fill us with joy and peace?” After all, that’s what we all long for in the chaos and pain of this life. But in a world of “you do you” and “do what makes you happy,” what would it look like to be filled with joy and peace? 

 

Psalms 43:4 says, “Then I will come to the altar of God, to God my greatest joy. I will praise you with the lyre, God, my God.”

 

The altar, by definition, is a place of sacrifice or surrendering, and this is the place where David finds his greatest joy. Why? Because it’s there he finds God.

 

Notice he doesn’t rattle off a list of things that would surely make his life easier, more significant, or more comfortable. He is saying that when he comes to God sacrificially, surrendering and praising—it’s there he finds His greatest joy.

 

Hebrews 13:15 tells us, “Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

 

The thing is, regardless of what this life brings our way—Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is holy. He is faithful. And this life we live has always been to bring Him glory. The God of all hope will fill us with joy and peace when we sacrifice our wants, our will, and our way and surrender to His plans, purpose, and calling on our lives. 

 

When the focus of our lives becomes Him – His glory, and not our comfort – there we will overflow with peace and joy. Yes, there will be pain, but there will also be great blessings because we’re living like He’s risen. Will you dare to offer a sacrifice of praise today? 

 

PRAY: Jesus, you know we are living in a broken world. It’s so easy for us to fix our eyes on the things and circumstances of this world. And yet, when we dare to fix our eyes on you—the author and perfecter of our faith—we find peace and joy in it all. Lift our eyes today and pour into our hearts a song of praise. You are worthy of it all! We love you, Jesus. Amen.

 

*If you’re looking for a song to get you started, Worthy of My Song by Maverick City and Phil Wickham is a great one.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.

Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

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THE GOD OF HOPE

 

Standing at the door to the church, they came one by one, stopping to hug me. “I loved your mother… Aren’t you so thankful for the hope of heaven?” Their eyes were filled with compassion as their love for her streamed down their faces.  

 

In the throes of unexpected grief, I often asked myself, “What is this hope I’m supposed to be grateful for?” After all, we owned funeral clothes now. Just eight months before my mother passed away, my mother-in-law went to be with Jesus, and a year before that, my husband’s best friend. 

 

Webster’s Dictionary defines HOPE as “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to be true.” That’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? The thing is, if we look to the things of this world to define the God of this world, we’ll come up short every time. 

 

If, like me, the suffering of this life has caused you to question the greatness of this hope, I want you to know the pages of scripture are filled with people like you and me wrestling out all we say we believe. Perhaps we’ve been asking the wrong question in, “What is this hope?” Maybe we should be asking, “Where have I placed my hope?”

 

The truth is, our only hope in life and death is Jesus Christ. Our hope certainly isn’t found in the circumstances of this life. It’s not in people or relationships, how successful we are, the status of our 401k, our debt-to-income ratio, or how we choose to school our children. 

 

Unlike the dictionary, we don’t have to “want it to be true.” Our hope is sure and true because Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection secure it. And God has sworn by Himself (Isaiah 43:23) that it is only through Him that we are saved. And without the promises of His word, we wouldn’t have anything to build our lives upon. 

 

Ultimately, I’m learning that when I dare to stare into the hardest, most painful events of this life, I find that Jesus really is working all things together for my good and His glory. And as I lean in and surrender more, there is joy and peace that only He can give. That’s our hope! Won’t you lean into Him today?

 

PRAY: Jesus, this life can be so hard. But you make all things beautiful. Give us eyes to see you more in this season, to trust you more in our pain, and to love you more deeply in our longing. You are our only hope. We love you, and we need you. Come, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

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Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins.  She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.