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Date: Mar 23, 2009

This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

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                          Hope Deferred

	Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is  
	a tree of life.  --Proverbs 13:12

My dear child, do not be afraid to put your hope in Me, for I am good 
and I am kind and I take care of My own dear children. 

Many of My own have been hurt or disappointed over and over again--until 
they reached a place where they became afraid to hope, for fear that 
they will be disappointed. This happens in the world, for the ruler 
of this world seeks to crush the life and hope out of people; that 
he might fill their hearts with despair. But that is not My way and 
I am not like that. In fact, I am calling My own out of that place of
fear and despair, so that they may enter into My place of peace and joy.

Dear one, you are no longer of this world, you are adopted into My own
family.[a] I have rescued you from the ruler of this world, and I have
planted My seed of hope in your heart. Do not be afraid to let that 
seed grow and mature, so that you might be able to abide that place 
of endless joy and peace that I have prepared for you. It is My desire
that you have a peace that passes all understanding[b], and that your
joy might indeed be full[c] and overflowing.

I assure you that you will not be disappointed as you look to Me and 
trust in Me. I am faithful, and I keep My promises. So open up your
heart, dear one, and dare to believe Me in all that I have promised
to you. Remind yourself daily of My nature and My character, for I am
good, and those who come to Me will receive good things from My hand.
I am truth and I cannot lie to you. I am faithful and I will not 
abandon you or forget a single one of My promises to you. I am the 
God of all power, and I able to work My good on your behalf.

Yes, dear one, I am both willing and able to take care of you. I have
many good gifts for you, and I have given you a hope and a future.
So do not be afraid to trust in Me. Dear one, open your heart and
allow the hope of your salvation[d] and the hope of your calling[e] 
to fill your hearts. Simply dare to believe what I am telling you,
and these things will begin to overflow you until it pours out from
you to those around you. For it is My plan and My desire to fill you
with all peace and joy, so that you might abound in My hope and be 
filled with the power of My indwelling Holy Spirit.[f]


a - John 15:19 "You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you 
    out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

b - Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all 
    understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ 
    Jesus."
c - John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may 
    remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

d - 1 Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us who are of the day be sober, 
    putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the 
    hope of salvation."

e - Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; 
    that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the 
    riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."

f - Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and 
    peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of 
    the Holy Spirit."