By the way JUSTIN, abounding means to be “overflowing” in hope. “Now may the God of hope FILL YOU with ALL JOY and PEACE in believing, that you may ABOUND IN HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13) Here is an amazing thing about Jesus Christ our Lord, He is the GOD OF HOPE!!!
Jesus said to His disciples, “…who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.” (Matt. 16:15-16) The scriptures say this about Jesus, “In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD WAS GOD.” (John 1:1) A little later on John says, “…the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Our little tiny minds may have difficulty understanding this but in the beginning Jesus, who HAS ALWAYS EXISTED, had His form as “GOD’S WORD” (In the beginning was the WORD.) So, when God said “let there be light” The WORD came out and created light. God the Son BECAME FLESH through Mary and the Holy Spirit.
How do we know this JUSTIN? “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For BY HIM all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created BY HIM and for Him.” (Col. 1:15-16) See (John 1:1,3, 14), (Hebrews 1:1-3, 10)
WHAT WONDERFUL AND GREAT HOPE WE HAVE…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham