By Cynthia Ruchti

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
— 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

“What is it about this family and hope?” my youngest grandson asked. “We have a cousin named Hope, and there’s hope everywhere in this house!”

I love his exuberance on the subject. Ours is a house filled with hope. It shows up in books on the bookshelves, mugs, pictures . . . it’s everywhere. I may have mentioned before that a young visitor came to our home and counted the items in our house bearing the word hope. She stopped counting at forty-seven.

It is a house filled with Jesus, our Living Hope.

When the FedEx delivery guy steps into the family room with a box, I pray he says, “What is it about this family and hope?” When our hope-filled friends bring their hope-deprived friends with them for a group outing or a meal, may that question be on their minds too. When neighbors bring a jar of honey from their beehives or a small neighborly remembrance at Christmas, may they also leave saying, “What is it about this family and hope?”

What is it? We have devoted ourselves to our Living Hope — Jesus. He infuses every moment with a new, eternal perspective. In troubled times, we cling to Him. In victorious times, we thank Him for the gift. He is the source of our hope. Though some may consider our house a hope museum, because of the presence of Jesus, it is instead a living tribute.

Faith Step: What in your home communicates a message of hope? Your welcome mat? The Bible on your coffee table? How will you enhance the hope theme?

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Taken from Mornings with Jesus 2019: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul by Guideposts. Click here to learn more about this title.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Spend the year following Jesus, reflecting on daily devotions that show us his unchanging love and faithfulness.

In Mornings with Jesus 2019, you can read one all-new devotion each day that will encourage you to embrace Jesus’s love, to lay down your worries and walk with Him, and to focus on Him as Redeemer, Friend, and Faithful One. Lifting up their voices in heartfelt gratitude, twelve writers consider the character and teachings of Jesus and share how He enriches and empowers them daily and how He wants to do the same for you. Every day you will enjoy a Scripture verse, reflection on Jesus’s words, and a faith step that inspires and challenges you in your daily walk of living a Christ-like life.

In just five minutes a day, Mornings with Jesus 2019 will help readers experience a closer relationship with Jesus. It’s full of inspiring and lasting motivation and spiritual nourishment that fill readers with hope and direction.

Cynthia Ruchti is the award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction stories as well as devotionals that are, as she puts it, “hemmed in hope.” Her books have been recognized with industry honors including Christian Retailing’s BEST awards, the Selah awards, and Publishers Weekly starred reviews. She and her husband are nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, close to their three children and five grandchildren. Cynthia serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers. Her prayer is to encourage readers or attendees at her speaking events to say, “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in hope.” Visit her at cynthiaruchti.com.