Daily Devotional

Galatians 2:20 NASB

    “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

In 1981, a millionaire named Eugene Michael Lang visited a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Mr. Lang had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would drop out of school? He wanted to say something that would make a difference in these students' lives, so he scrapped his notes and decided to speak to them from his heart. "Stay in school," he said, "and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you so that you can achieve your dream." At that moment, the lives of these students changed. For the first time, they had hope. One student later said, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me." Nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school. You would have to understand that the average percentage of students that graduated from that school was previously 39%. Maybe you have heard this before: It's not what we have in life, but who we have in life that matters. Those students not only had someone who believed in them, but they had hope.

You may also have heard, "There are no hopeless situations, only people who think hopelessly." As followers of Jesus, we have hope because of the new life we have received by trusting in God. Now, we live with the mind of Christ and with His Spirit in us that helps us know how to live for Him. Our hope doesn't come from just being positive or trying to have a happy outlook. Real hope comes from knowing that no matter what happens, God is with us and can give us the strength to endure whatever comes our way. However, there are people all around us who have not experienced the hope that only God can give. God made us to be together with other people; He didn't design us to live life on our own. He even chose to create us for fellowship with Him, and He didn't have to. We are to be aware of those around us who need the hope that only God can give. Often, in ministering and encouraging others, we are encouraged too! No matter what you do in life, God's plan is always for you to share his love and hope with others. No one is exempt.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation


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