Dear Brothers in Christ,

As we gather in fellowship and pursue the path laid out by our Savior, I feel the Holy Spirit convicting me to address two fundamental virtues that are pivotal to our spiritual journey—hope and faith. Often intertwined in our conversations and messages, these terms are more than mere words; they are the bedrock of our lives as kingdom men within our families, the church, and the community we serve.

Understanding Hope: Our Spiritual Anchor

Hope, in the biblical sense, is not simply a wish or a desire for things to happen. It is a confident expectation of what God has promised, deeply rooted in His word and His faithfulness. Hope is dynamic and robust, acting as an anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19), providing stability and security, even through the stormiest trials.

Hope Illustrated in Scripture

Consider Abraham, our father of faith, who “in hope believed against hope” that he would become the father of many nations as he had been promised (Romans 4:18). His journey was not easy, filled with waiting and moments of doubt. Yet, his hope in God’s promise never wavered.

Cultivating Hope Among Us

Let us, too, be men who nurture hope. We do this by:

• Meditating on God’s promises daily: Let Scripture always be in our minds and hearts, reinforcing our hope. Meet with God daily and be intentional, for scripture tells us God knows our hearts.
• Encouraging Each Other: Just as Paul wrote to the Romans to be filled with joy and peace in believing, so should we speak life into each other’s journeys. Text a friend, go have lunch and listen, jump on a call, and ask how you can pray for them.

Understanding Faith: Our Shield and Strength

Faith is complete trust and confidence in God, a firm foundation for our beliefs and actions. It is knowing with certainty that even what we do not see, God sees, and what we cannot handle, God can.

Faith Demonstrated in Scripture

Noah’s obedience in building the ark, a monumental task that had no precedent and faced much mockery, is a profound example of faith (Hebrews 11:1). Noah trusted God’s word completely, his actions guided by faith unseen.

Strengthening Our Faith

Brothers, let us be diligent in fostering our faith:

• Immerse Ourselves in the Word: Regular study and reflection on Scripture fortify our trust in God.
• Live Out Our Beliefs: Faith without works is dead. Let our actions each day reflect our deep trust in God’s word.

The Interconnection Between Hope and Faith

Hope and faith are not solitary virtues but are interconnected in beautiful, essential ways. Hope fuels our faith, and our faith nurtures our hope. As we look to Jesus, the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, we see the ultimate model of hope and faith intertwined (Hebrews 12:2).

Living Out Hope and Faith

In our daily lives, in our ministries, and in our communities, let the hope that Jesus offers fill our hearts, and let the faith He exemplifies strengthen our hands and feet.

Our Role as Kingdom Men

As men of the kingdom, called to lead, serve, and shepherd, the cultivation of hope and faith is not optional but essential. These are the virtues that will enable us to build not on sand but on solid rock.

Being Leaders of Hope and Faith

• Through Service: Each act of service is an act of faith; each word of comfort, a message of hope.
• In Mentorship: As we mentor and are mentored, let us pass on these virtues, building up one another in hope and faith.

In closing, dear brothers, let us not grow weary. Let us be men who, like Abraham, “hope against hope” and, like Noah, serve God with unwavering faith. Let our lives be testimonies of the hope and faith we profess. Together, let us walk this path of hope and faith, building up ourselves and our community in love and righteousness.

Shalom, Shalom,
Jesse Carroll
Founder
1M1W Ministries