Peter uses the expression living hope to describe the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Peter 1:3. Unfortunately, the devil distracts most saints from this fact, causing many Christians to live a defeated life. John 21:15-19 unfolds this living hope, going from the big mouth who denied Jesus to a restored follower of Christ.
In sports, the great teams find a way to win, even when they are not at their best. Mediocre teams are the polar opposite, finding ways to lose due to a Murphy’s Law mindset, what’s going to go wrong next or he we go again. Its for this very reason, I believe Peter includes 2 Peter 1:3. Unless you tap into the power of the Holy Spirit, you won’t experience the living hope as Peter did.
For those of you who are baseball fans, many are asking, what happened to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012? People can use excuses like injuries, not living up to your talent or pitching, but the answer is simple, they lost their mental edge, their living hope. Even professionals are not exempt from this, fighting the same battle as Christians in their minds, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
If you are feeling hopeless this morning, unplugged from the power of the Holy Spirit, spend a few minutes reading 1 Corinthians 15, especially verses 51-58. When people begin to take hold of the spiritual truths in this passage, you can go from hopeless to hopeful. Jesus has already won the war, yet don’t let Satan steal your hope, John 10:10. Take hold of this living hope today by mediating on Lamentations 3:21-23, take your thoughts captive and begin to experience the power of the resurrection!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 