(NIV) John 20:19-20

  “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”

  How do those who have little or no faith in the Lord Jesus Christ differ from those whose faith is firmly in Him?
  Hope, the reality of a sure hope, should be based on the words of God. Those who know Jesus can be sure of their true hope, even in the midst of fear. Followers of Christ Jesus can believe His words…”Peace be with you!”

What were some circumstances which I experienced before my faith was in Jesus as my Savior?

Hope based on…People (disappointing hope – for people will fail us at some point of time)
Hope based on…Circumstances (unreliable hope – filled with variables)
Hope based on…Myself (false hope – I will fail to meet my standards or someone else’s)
Hope based on…Government (misled hope – government is made up of people, need I say anything more?)

  Hope based on nothing more than the above should be a warning, just as the color red should make us stop and assess where our hope lies.