[Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom] Day 38

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Farmer of Hearts - Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom

生命恩泉 Fountain of Love and Life

200 episodes

4 months ago

As we navigate through the maze of life in this fast changing world, it’s easy to lose sight of the important things that keep us going and help us stay on track. In a world plagued by an epidemic of depression and hopelessness like never before, it’s clear that what the world offers is leading us in the wrong direction. On the other hand, studies consistently show that individuals with higher levels of hope report lower levels of depression and anxiety. High hope is also linked to better stress management and enhanced resilience. The benefits of having hope are endless. - How can we become more positive? - Is there a way to cultivate hope in our lives? - What role does our Christian faith play in nurturing hope? - What insights can our faith offer that the world cannot? In this Year of the Jubilee, we are reminded once again of our identity as pilgrims on earth. We have the choice to either embrace hope or fall into despair. The theme of this year’s “Farmer of Hearts” Lenten online retreat is “Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom.” You might ask, “Why do we need to find hope if we are already in God’s Kingdom? Isn’t it true that when this world passes, faith and hope will no longer be needed?” It’s important not to confuse “God’s Kingdom” with “Heaven.” Here, we refer to God’s Kingdom as His sovereignty on earth. This Lenten retreat offers reflections and practical insights on how we can become “Pilgrims of Hope” in light of the “Kingdom of God” as taught by Jesus. By using the framework of God’s Kingdom, we gain a fresh perspective to see the world, those around us, and ourselves through God’s eyes. Rather than remaining purely conceptual, Jesus provides a practical framework through which we can reshape our worldview—a new perspective that inspires hope. The hope Jesus offers is unshakable, something the world can never provide. It’s a model we can adopt here and now, not just an abstract theory or a utopia we can only reach when we enter Heaven. Life will certainly be full of challenges, but it’s through these challenges that we mature in our faith and in our relationship with God. Having hope is crucial on the road toward holiness and the Father’s house. It is certainly worth spending these 40 days of the Lenten Season reflecting on this vital theme. Pilgrimage is a journey, a process with a clear destination, and we need companions along the way. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey of hope as a community of fellow pilgrims. See you at the starting point! YouTube playlist: https://bit.ly/FOH2025Eng IG: @fll.cc | Facebook: fb.com/fll.cc

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[Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom] Day 38 – God’s Word is Hope

Farmer of Hearts - Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom

12 minutes

6 months ago

[Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom] Day 38 – God’s Word is Hope

God's desire is that we may be with Him not only in this life but also in eternal life, and that we may enjoy and receive all that is best. Everything He has done and arranged for us is for our greatest benefit. Since our first ancestors betrayed God, not only did God not abandon us, but for our sake, He saved us through the birth, suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He also established the Church on earth for us, sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us, and instituted the sacraments to nourish and remain with us. Through Jesus, God brought the Kingdom of Heaven into the world, allowing us to have a foretaste of its sweetness, so that we may yearn for it even more and be filled with hope in our lives. The ultimate goal is to ensure that we can smoothly transition through our earthly lives and enter eternal life, to be with Him forever.

In a sense, God has already done everything He could for us and He is simply waiting for our response. In Jesus’ first parable about the Kingdom of Heaven, the Parable of the Sower, He explains the mindset and attitude we should have in order to receive the word of the Kingdom into our lives, so that the Word may take root in our hearts and transform us and our lives. (Cf. Matthew 13:1–23)

Unfortunately, most people do not allow the message of the Kingdom to enter their lives. Many even respond with indifference. In the parable, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to describe them: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:14-15) Those who do not have open hearts or space within will not listen to or accept the word of the Kingdom, nor will they have the patience to understand it.

In contrast, Jesus describes in the parable that the seeds falling on good soil will bear fruit a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. For the farmers of that time, such a harvest was unimaginable. This shows that for those who accept God's salvation and His Kingdom, He has prepared unexpected and unimaginable rewards and blessings! For those who seek the Kingdom and are willing to listen with open hearts and receive its message, how could this not lead to a great harvest? How could it not bring immense hope to their lives? Therefore, to be willing to listen to God's Word is to dwell in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the key to letting the Kingdom take root in our hearts, and it is the reason we can find true hope in our lives.

That is why Jesus said to His disciples: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16) This blessing is in stark contrast to those who, because of their hardened hearts, refuse to listen. So when facing people who see but do not perceive, hear but do not understand, and whose hardened hearts keep them from turning back, how could Jesus not feel sad and helpless?

Jesus is the sower who generously scatters the Word of God. But in the face of people’s indifference toward the Word and their coldness toward God, how could Jesus not feel heartbroken? No wonder He ended the parable with this plea: “Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matthew 13:9)

Reflection

How seriously do you take the Word of God? Have you put it into practice in your life, or is it just knowledge in your head?

What in your life hinders you from hearing and receiving God’s Word? What actions can you take to become the fertile soil that bears fruit a hundredfold?

Take a moment to savour everything God has done for you. What more do you think God needs to do for you to make you more willing to receive His Word and live it out?

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for generously sowing the Word of God into my heart. I understand Your expectations of me. Through today’s reflection, I feel even more deeply Your sorrow, because of my hardened heart, I have not treated every word You speak to me with the seriousness it deserves.

I understand that You have already done everything You can. You are simply waiting for my response, hoping that I will diligently cultivate the field of my heart and remove all obstacles that prevent me from bearing fruit.

I don't want to cause You pain anymore! Please help me! Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear Your Word, and transform my hardened heart into one that is sensitive and discerning of Your will for me!

Lord Jesus, thank You once again! I love You!

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Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!

The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

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Farmer of Hearts - Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom