TGIF

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Aussies are an optimistic bunch. “I’ll be right.” Often, it’s a wishful thinking kind of optimism with no solid reason for hope.

Have you ever thought things would be ok? But they weren’t? The situation didn’t just come good? I have. In the housing market, in areas of health or in the lives of our loved ones. Life is terribly uncertain.

But the big problem is that this is most Aussies' approach to death. What happens after death? “I’ll be right.” Optimism. Wishful thinking… or foolish and wrong.

But for Christians. We can be more than optimistic. We can be certain in hope. We have no fear of death because we know that to live is Christ but to die is gain. Just reflect on that for a moment.

That’s a reason to be thankful today.

For Today:

• When have you seen someone be unreasonably optimistic?
• Are you optimistic about death?
• Give thanks for the hope you have in Jesus.

Pray:

• Praise the Father that He is the giver of mercy and life. 
• Give thanks for Jesus who provides hope through His life, death & resurrection. 
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others be thankful today for the hope that you have.