The 2018 Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference: A Few Afterthoughts
To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 2, Day 1 - God's Word is Our Hope
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
Although the Bible is composed of many books written by different authors over a long period of time, it contains a consistent and unbroken message of hope for those willing to form a relationship with the Author of the words. The Church teaches firmly that the Bible can be trusted as the word of God. Because of this, we can have hope that what it tells us about God’s love for us and about our salvation is true. As Scripture itself assures us: “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet 1:16).
To hope is to desire what has been promised by God in his word, fully expecting that we will receive it. This great hope shapes us as Catholic men because it instructs us and empowers us to take hold of our inheritance in Christ.
God has revealed himself to us from the very beginning, pointing the way to his Son through treasures, types, prophecy, and poetry throughout the pages of Scripture. The Bible is an eternal document, which spans the centuries and speaks to hearts in every age. When we allow it to instruct us, we find all the encouragement and hope we need to live our lives for Jesus Christ.
Questions for Reflection
How would you describe your current relationship to the word of God?
What messages of hope stand out to you from the pages of Scripture?
What connections do you see between stories in the Old Testament and the New?
Praying with Scripture
For the word of the LORD is upright;
and all his work is done in faithfulness. (Ps 33:4)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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About the Author
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
