Hope -by Jase Rosenburg

Jase Rosenburg has been an inspiring writer since the first week I began blogging. I stumbled upon his site (jaserosenburg.com) through Faithfulbloggers, and have been exchanging e-mails with him ever since I started reading his posts. Reading his work inspires me because of how personal he can be. I love to read about personal experiences; it lets me know the writer can relate to similar struggles of life. He does not try to sugarcoat the truth. His passion, "I write in the dark to bring faith to light", is prominent in each of his posts.
Jase, thank you for being an encouragement to me. You are a blessing and motivation to my blogging journey. I am thankful that God has allowed an online encounter between us; thank you for promoting Christ through your writing. I am overjoyed to have you guest post on my blog.
-Michael J. Vitelli

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Hope -by Jase Rosenburg

First I’d like to thank Michael for this opportunity to post on his blog. I know that it’s a huge thing to trust someone else with your readership.
 
I thought for a while about what I’d like to share today. I ended up with the topic of HOPE. It sounds like such a simple word, but without it where would we be?
 
I’ll share a personal story since you guys don’t really know me. I’m like most of you, I’ve faced challenges. I lost my dad to cancer in 2006. I beat cancer in 2007. I’ve also battled a few other health issues since then that leave me in excruciating pain at times. And I lost my stepdad in 2015 to cancer.
 
I can say that without a doubt hope has been the only reason I’ve made it this far. God will stop at nothing to get to you.  I want you to fully understand that sentence. GOD will stop at NOTHING to get to you. Think about that for a few minutes.
 
It truly amazes me how much he loves us. Many times when I’ve been in pain my wife will pray for me and the pain eases. I’ve been awake at all hours of the night crying in pain. I didn’t want to wake her up so what did I do? For a while I did nothing but be miserable. Then one night I decided I was going to praise God through song. I started singing. I can’t tell you how it works, but it does. When I sing out praises to God, the pain eases and I eventually drift off to sleep.
 
Many people wonder why does God allow us to go through such things. I have to say that we live in a fallen world. This place is cursed and we have to deal with the repercussions of a decision Adam and Eve made long ago. However, while we are here on this earth GOD gives us hope in the trials. It doesn’t matter what we are facing, he is there. He understands.
 
If you’re in the position right now where it looks like things are hopeless, hang on. Call out to God and hope will rush in. I guarantee you that he will come to you. It may not be in the way you want or expect, but you will have hope.
 
One of my favorite things to imagine is God being a hero. How many times in movies or books do things look hopeless? Then there is a hero that sweeps in and saves the day.  Why do we love those stories? Because we can relate. God is ready to sweep in to your situation and bring a hope that will comfort you in any situation.
 
All I can say is God IS good. He proves it to me every day. I look down at the scar on my arm and I see hope. I look at the sunrise and I see hope. I look at the flowers and plants and there’s hope there too. It’s all around us. Open your eyes and see what God is waiting to give you. I promise you it’s worth every thing you’ve had to go through.
 
I’ll leave you with this from 1 Corinthians 15.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

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