At my birthday party recently, I wanted to read Scripture, and looking for a verse about hope and the future, I found this one:

1 Peter 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you. (NIV)

What a wonderful birthday present from Jesus: new birth and an inheritance that can never perish! I could not want for more.

This is the gift that churches need today: to share with all present and in the neighbourhood this wonderful gift of new life, new hope, and a future that is so rightly blessed that it offers an inheritance in heaven. But in many ways, the church today is failing because the Person Who is to be at the heart of all activity in churches is rarely mentioned outside the church.

In many congregations, the church as an organization has taken the place of a relationship with Jesus. Various demands are made for members to meet the financial needs and to serve the Church and its programs, but few feel that the call to do so is actually from Jesus. He is rarely mentioned in their homes or neighbourhoods. It is no wonder that the church is failing, for as an organization, there is little hope and little personal relationship with Jesus. Who do we appreciate? Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

Let us take note of our local church's atmosphere: how do we relate to each other, and who do we mention most? In our hearts, we may say that we put Jesus first, but do we put His name in our daily conversations? Are we embarrassed to mention Him outside the home and church? Do we tell one another how much we love Jesus?

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, fill our lives with Your love, so that our hope for each day will be lifted and secured by Your sacrifice given in love for us. We appreciate You so much, Lord. Thank You for giving Your life for us. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

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