a whole lot of hope

 Friday, December 5, 2025 (4:37 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. There was sleep. Dreaming. Waking. More sleep. Maybe even more dreams. Lots of rest. And hope. Mm, yes! A whole lot of hope.

Oh, look. Here’s even a smile. Of contentment. And… hope!

Thank You for this first week of Advent, Lord. Learning more about biblical hope… “waiting for God Himself to show up.” Expecting You to somehow come into our circumstances.

Father God, thank You. YOU are the reason I can sleep at night. And smile during the day. My hope truly is in You!

(5:26 a.m.)

Father, thank You for the privilege and opportunity of exploring Your Word. Romans 15 especially this morning.

Usually I go straight to verse 13. This morning however I begin at 14:20 and read through. Thank You Father.

What a surprise supply of joy You are providing me in this reading dearest Lord. Hope, everywhere I turn!

And a huge degree of satisfaction I’ve been missing for quite awhile. Thank You God! Thank You for the Truth and promises we find in Your Word. 

(6:22 a.m.)

Reading various translations for Romans 15:4-5, I keep coming back to New Living Translation. “Such things [see chapter 14] were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises.

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.”

Yes please! This gives me a whole new appreciation for the question of long ago. “What would Jesus do?”

Father, use me in my hopeful waiting. Do all You must that I represent You well. I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life.

I pray the apostle Paul’s words to the Romans (15:12-13) here. Asking (Matthew 7:7a) myself to be included in the blessing.

“And Isaiah's word: There’s the root of our ancestor Jesse, breaking through the earth and growing tree tall, Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!

“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” (The Message).

Yes please Father. Be glorified in, with, by, through and for my thoughts, words and actions. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(417 words ~ 7:03 a.m.)