* God is a God who fulfills his promises * God’s hope is an anchor for our soul: mind/will/emotions * Storms: you either just got out of one or your about to walk into one * Just because your saved doesn’t mean you’re not going to walk through some stuff * Anchors aren’t seen but you can feel them bringing stability * God is a good God who can be trusted ## Three anchors for Gods people: ### 1. We’re anchored in the purposes of God * Clarity is kindness * God is a God who created everything on purpose, including you.When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
— Hebrews 6:13-19 (NIV)
* Progress not perfection * We don’t have to pretend to have it all together, we just have to keep maturing in Him ### 2. We’re anchored in the promises of God * God promises strength, wisdom, He will never leave, He will provide all of your needs (not wants). * God makes promises backed up by His goodness. * Making promises that you do not deliver on is cruel * “Step out in faith knowing that I will bless you” * Walking by faith is not denying realityTherefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
— Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)
* The situation doesn’t have to be good for God to create something Good out of it (coffee beans, filter, boiling water) ### 3. I can anchor myself in the praises of God * Praise is telling God thank you in advance for what’s coming nextAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28 (NIV)
* Sing, barren woman… * Sing on the front end of the miracle * When I start praising, burdens start lifting! * Prophecy to that which is not because the God that you serve is on the move! * Shows God that we trust Him with what He’s going to do next.“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child;
— Isaiah 54:1-3 (NIV)
burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back;
lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.