Third Sunday of Lent - March 12, 2023

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“…and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And hope does not disappoint,”

Occasionally the world and its events can get me down. There is so much misery and turmoil in the world and in our country. It amazes me sometimes that we can just go on about our days. But as today’s reading from Romans explains, we can feel peace with God and have hope because of his love.

As Christians we are stronger to endure difficulties. And in turn, our struggles and living through them give us hope. When one of our daughters was going through a very serious health issue, we prayed intensely for God’s help in making her well again. As happens so often with prayer, it can take a while for us to get answers. But our faith kept us asking and believing that God was hearing us. I give God all the credit for our daughter’s complete recovery, even knowing prayers are not always answered the way we want. 

Our faith gives us so many reasons to be hopeful. We believe in eternal life. We believe in God’s will. We believe in the goodness of God. We believe these truths because we know he loves us.

He loves us so much that Christ died for us even though we are sinners. During this Lenten season, I will reflect on the gift of peace through God’s abundance of love and the hope he gives me for this world and for the eternal world.

Q: How has hope and faith helped me endure difficulties in my life?

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