We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Michael Smith.
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…“
Word:
I love seeing how movies integrate Hope and Love into their story lines. Consider the 80’s blockbuster Turner and Hooch. Even though Hooch, a huge Bull Mastiff, hates Tom Hanks at first, he ends up sacrificing his life to save him in the end. However, the movie did not do well when it came to rentals because, although audiences were moved by Hooch’s act of sacrificial love, they were also disappointed by the sorrow of death. Even though there was a puppy that looked like Hooch in the last scene.
Contrast that film with Iron Giant from 1999. In the last scene, the Iron Giant stops a nuclear missile from destroying a town by catching it and flying into the atmosphere. The town is saved, but he is destroyed. However, the final scene depicts all the robot’s body parts slowly reassembling themselves- to the joy of all the children and adults watching. We were moved by the sacrificial love AND excited by the hope of renewal and reunion with the people he saved.
This is the essence of the gospel – God showed us how much He loves us by His death and He gives us hope of being with Him through His resurrection!
Prayer:
Dear God, help me to remember that because I’m yours, regardless of what trials I face, I have an eternal hope that will never fade away! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Skillwork:
Try and memorize 1 Peter 1:3.
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