5 Minutes of Hope

The numbers may change tomorrow or next week but, according to my latest research, there are currently 195 countries listed on planet earth.

The two largest, China and India, boast of populations of nearly 1.5 billion people. The smallest country, Holy See, has less than 1,000.

Poor countries.

Large countries.

Old countries.

Over developed countries.

Countries neither you or I would choose to visit much less reside therein.

My country: the good old US of A! While we may be facing our share of challenges and trying times, these United States still offer so much promise and opportunity. However … I want something better.

Hello friend and welcome to 5 Minutes of Hope.

Today’s topic is: A Better Country

And … it seems as though I’m in pretty good company. Listen to the hearts’ cry of the men and women of God spoken of in the 11th chapter of Hebrews.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

You MUST know we’re going break into song RIGHT NOW!

I can’t do The Goodman Family justice but …

♫ We’re looking for a city, where we’ll never die,

There with sainted millions, never say goodbye,

There we’ll meet our Savior, and our loved ones too,

Come O Holy Spirit, all our hopes renew.

– W. Oliver Cooper

How fitting of a carpenter

To build His bride a home.

A vast, eternal dwelling place,

Never more to roam.

Let not your heart be troubled

He spoke this word of hope.

Of His Father’s many mansions,

Who can fathom the scope?

He’s off to prepare a place for us

We’ll live with Him forever.

No more sickness, grief, pain, or death,

Never, never, never!

Dear one, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever … believes in him … should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

This present world, with all the pleasures and joys it has to offer, is temporary, passing, failing, and fading.

I firmly believe God is allowing our country and countries around this vast globe to become SO undesirable so that our hearts are set on a BETTER COUNTRY.

Our Hope!

Our eternal Home!

Heaven!

A better country!

Mighty God, we thank You for the country we live in and how You’ve abundantly blessed it. But … we LONG for a better one. An ETERNAL country. Like Abraham of old, help us to look forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray. Amen

Friend, may you be FILLED with hope today and share it with others.