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ABOUNDING IN HOPE

“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,” Romans 15:13 ESV. What a beautiful portrait of the life of faith Paul paints for us in this verse. He describes a life of “joy and peace in believing” instead of the frustration and worry that so often characterizes the experience of many sincere Christians. The key is in the phrase “by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Spiritual growth must be a work of the Spirit, not pride-filled, religious works of the flesh. Turning our spiritual progress over the Holy Spirit allows us to “abound in hope” rather than setting ourselves up for failure. Rather than blaming others for our lack of progress or comparing ourselves with the successes and failures of others, we learn to trust the guidance of the Spirit and Word to form us. LORD of Hope, help me to trust Your timing and ways.  

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