Unbroken Hope

Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5 NKJV

When trouble meets its mark like a gigantic wrecking ball

When sorrow sears the place from whence our tears like oceans fall

When answers are not able to allay want’s anguished tides

And our hearts are broken, Hope abides

When doubt flexes its muscles like a fighter in the ring

And we cringe in the corner like a frightened little thing

Then we would be defeated but for He whose grace sustains

For though our hearts are broken, Hope remains

When love that long had lavished us with tender happiness

Becomes a sword that pierces us where no kiss can caress

When we begin to wonder how in the world we will cope

Then, though our hearts are broken, never Hope

Hope whispers in our bearing though we cannot see His face

With God’s own arms it gathers us into His kind embrace

And though we stagger ‘neath the cross where loss its grief assures

And hearts are hurt and broken, hope endures

© Janet Martin

 I was going to share verses  7-8 from 2 Cor. 4 but the whole chapter is especially dear today...

...as our church-family mourns their loss 

2 Cor. 4

The Light of the Gospel

1Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

 2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, 

nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, 

we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 

3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see 

 the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, 

and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”a made His light shine in our hearts

 to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.b 

Treasures in Jars of Clay
(Romans 6:1-14)

7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power 

is from God and not from us. 

8We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, 

so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 

11For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, 

so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal bodies.

 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,”

c we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak,

14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus 

and present us with you in His presence.

 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people 

may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, 

yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 

17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us 

an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. 

18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.