Verse of the Day 3/23

Verse of the Day 3/23

Romans 15:13

English Standard Version

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

I love spring.  After a dreary winter the warmth of the spring sun, the sound of the birds singing joyfully, all the plants putting on a display give you hope for warmer, longer, sunnier days ahead.  We've heard it said that hope springs eternal.  For the Christian, even in our darkest days there remains a hope, if not realized today we trust in an eternity based on hope realized.

Today's verse is one of my favoritie ones on the subject of hope, especially to "abound" in hope.  It is a hope not just for ourselves, but it is a hope that overflows from our lives into the lives of others.  We proclaim it and let it be known where hope is to be found, in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Any time that I hear or read the word hope from the Bible, i cannot help but think of our son Jeff's quote.  Being disabled and suffering from a traumatic brain injury has not impeded his ability to have hope and to share it with others, he has coined the phrase "hope is my favorite thing to have' and he has the peace that passes understanding.

John Piper writes, "The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding are those who in everything by prayer and supplication let their requests be made known to God....The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God's peace is faith in the promises of God. So Paul prays, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." And when we do trust the promises of God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified."

May hope be your favorite thing to have and bring you the peace that passes understanding.

Philippians 4:7

English Standard Version

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 15:8-13

English Standard Version

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name."

10 And again it is said,

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."

11 And again,

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him."

12 And again Isaiah says,

"The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope."

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.