I refuse to believe that all hope is lost.

I refuse to believe that we are doomed.

I refuse to fall victim to the negative narrative we are fed.

I refuse to believe all of the negativity spewed on social media.

I refuse to turn my eyes away from Jesus.

I refuse to stop believing and trusting the God I serve.

The God I serve parted the Red Sea to set His people free.

The God I serve shut the mouths of the lions and Daniel walked free.

The God I serve showed up as the fourth man in the fiery furnace.

The God I serve used a harlot named Rahab to alter history.

And then there’s Jesus.

My Jesus opened blind eyes and deaf ears.

My Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

My Jesus died on the cross so that I may live forever.

We serve a living God!

We serve a risen Savior!

Captives are still set free!

When you truly understand this, you too will refuse to believe all hope is lost.

As I stop believing the narrative of the enemy, open my eyes and look around, this is what I see…

A local teen youth group learning about Jesus that has grown to over 60 in attendance each week.

Our church growing by 2 or 3 every few weeks with people wanting truth and being open to receive it.

A mother telling me her sweet 4-year-old has been saying all week “God is with me, I am not afraid.”

A grandson who is only 6 years old praying for people who are sick.

A little neighbor girl who couldn’t be more than 8 stopped her scooter to talk to me and told me her name was Lily, like Lily of the valley. She went on to talk in depth with us about the Lord.

A little girl and her father walking down the street in front of our house. The little girl who was 3 or 4 years old pointed to our cross as she said, “Look Daddy, like Jesus!” I smiled and said “You know Jesus?” With a big smile in return her sweet blue eyes looked up at me and she shook her head yes! Her dad was smiling at her, and I let him know he was doing a great job!

I stopped and talked with a lady who had not been feeling well. We then held hands and prayed asking God to touch her. As I was loading my car to leave a bit later a truck stopped, and a man rolled down his window (It was the big burly guy from the laundry who was cussing at the change machine just a few minutes earlier.) As he looked at me with sincerity in his eyes, he said, “Thank you for praying with that woman. I needed to see that tonight.”

People are hurting and hungry for hope.

It’s time to go inside the building on Sunday for the community, fellowship and learning of God’s word.

It’s time we leave the building ready to share the hope and love we have in our hearts to those who need it.

I refuse to believe that hope is lost.

And I’m here to remind you that if you are a Christian standing firm in your Faith – you are not alone!