Hope & Confidence for 2025 - Romans

Theme: We can have hope, and confidence, in a New Year because of what we know and how God takes care of what we don’t know.
Key Verse: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28
Opening Remarks:
Hope is based on desire and possibility. We want something, and there is a possibility of obtaining it, so we hope for it.
Typically, what we hope for is beyond our direct ability to make it come about. Something else must at least cooperate with our efforts to bring about the fulfillment of our hope.
Confidence is based on ability. We become confident when we know the ability to accomplish a task is matched by the task at hand.
So, with that in mind, how can we face the future with Hope & Confidence as we venture into a new year?
This past year has shaken our view. This time last year we had no idea how challenging the coming year would be and maybe that reality is shaping our view of this coming year. If hindsight is 20/20 then I am ready for this year to get behind me!
The trials of the past can have a negative impact on how we view the future. That is the way it is, we use the past to form a view of the future and we are surprised when that isn’t a correct view. (i.e.: A come from behind win in sports!)
The way we view things is called our perspective, but our perspective is determined by our point of view. (i.e.: Titanic slide).
A very wealthy and powerful American businessman was scheduled to take a relaxing cruise after an important business meeting. He was looking forward to the cruise. The ship was built with luxury in mind. He was really looking forward to having a few days away from business, no news, new phones, just relaxation. Yet, the business meeting ran long, and he missed the boat, it launched without him! He was very angry and disappointed. Yet that anger and disappointment changed to relief when he learned that the ship hit an iceberg and sank; it was only then that J.P. Morgan was glad he missed the boat.
 
Oh, how his perspective changed!
This example points out a problem we have. Our view, or perspective, is very limited. It is limited by our experiences and our experiences are limited. We can expand our experience by learning from others, but they are limited too!
This is why the statement “Life Happens” has become so popular. So much is just beyond our understanding, or control, that we become despondent and accept the perspective that we are a victim of powers that don’t really care about us.
If there was only a way for us to get beyond our limitations to form a more accurate, and empowering, perspective of life.
The good news is that there is just such a way! We have a way to obtain a perspective that is beyond the limitations of human experience and that perspective is from the Bible. Getting your perspective from the Bible is called a Biblical perspective. Having a Biblical perspective will give you hope, and confidence, when facing the unknown.
Today, I am going to share a biblical perspective for you to carry with you throughout the New Year. This message will take at least 2 weeks to complete but don’t worry it will not be in one sitting!
It is my hope that this will give you Hope & Confidence as you progress in your faith journey in the coming year.