Definition of hope:
Desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment
To desire with expectation of obtainment
To expect with confidence
As believers our hope is suppose to be anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of Scripture
So we stir into our hope the understanding that Jesus is alive and that His words are true and will come to pass
The foundation of our hope - living hope - is that Jesus is alive and has opened the door into eternity in heaven for us and has prepared a place for us with Him
Without hope:
Prisoners of war languish and die
Students get discouraged and drop out of school
Athletic teams fall into a slump and continue to lose
Fledgling writers, longing to be published, run out of determination
Addicts return to their habits
Marriage partners decide to divorce
Inventors, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, even preachers, lose their creativity