Tag: #grateful

Spark of Hope

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

A tiny spark can ignite an inferno. When that spark is hope, it can change a life.

Have you ever considered the enduring hope you received when you first heard the story of Jesus or the freedom you have experienced since? Once we receive the Hope of Christ, it becomes a constant in our lives, not a fleeting moment. The author of Hebrews writes that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).

The ESV Study Bible explains that biblical faith is not a vague hope grounded in imaginary, wishful thinking; instead, faith is settled confidence that something in the future – not yet seen – a promise by God – will come to pass because God keeps His promises.

The Holman Bible Dictionary defines hope as the confidence we have because of what God did for us in the past and guarantees our participation in what He will do in the future. This contradicts the world’s definition of hope as a feeling that what we want will happen (Brand, 765).

In the OT, hope was grounded in God’s fulfilled promises in history. Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, hope was not lost because of God’s faithfulness and mercy. In Jeremiah’s time, he described God as the “Hope of Israel” and a “Savior in time of distress” (Jere. 14:8; 14:22; 17:13). God is still the God of Hope (Rom. 15:13). All the images applied to God in the OT are transferred to Christ in the NT (Brand, 765).

The Holman Bible Dictionary also notes that the two main reasons Christ is the object of our hope are that He is the Messiah (Luke 24:46) and that our Yes is found in Him (2 Cor. 1:20). The second is the unity between Father and Son, unity in nature and in the work of Christ through redemption (John 1:1; Col. 1:19; 2 Cor. 5:19).

There are many references to hope and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. The gift of hope comes through the power of the Holy Spirit to shower us with blessed assurance. God’s promises are our hope to comfort us in all our troubles (Ps. 119:49-50).

Jesus is knocking at the door of hearts – waiting for someone to hear and open it so He can abide within them (Rev. 3:20). The invitation of hope is always open to anyone who asks. When I began serving women through the Sister’s Circle support group, God reminded me through a dream that I was not the one who could fix their problems – I am merely a vessel to show them that the door to the only One who can – is always open. I am grateful for that realization. God uses a believer’s past pains and gains to help others find hope in Christ.

Is there anyone in your life who could use a spark of hope today? Perhaps you can ask God to make you aware of those He places in your path who need hope to ignite their faith like only Christ can do.

Speak Life

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

The Word of God is not just a collection of verses but a living, powerful force. It’s like a sharp sword, cutting through our innermost thoughts and desires, exposing them to the light. This is no coincidence. One of our most potent spiritual weapons is the sword of the Spirit –the Word of God (Eph. 6:16). Paul confirms that we should use prayer and the Word of God to thwart the enemy’s attacks. Combined, they become a mighty two-edged sword, wielded in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:16-17; Heb. 4:12).

 When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn’t rely on His strength. Instead, He used the Word of God to stand firm against the enemy’s tactics, frequently quoting Deuteronomy when Israel failed its wilderness tests (Deut. 6:13). Jesus set an example for His followers by standing firm on the Word of God to resist the devil (Matt. 4:1-11). 

The power of the Word – only God’s Word – has the force to break strongholds (2 Cor. 10:5), create (Gen. 1:1), give life (Ezek. 37:1-4), direct nature (Ps. 147:15-18; 148:8), reveal the glory of God (John 1:14), and demand a decision (John 8:51; 12:47). Moreover, The Holman Bible Dictionary explains that the Word is Jesus’ message; the message about Jesus and Jesus Himself. A pre-existent life-giving person (John 1:1-18).

The next time the enemy tries to steal your joy – speak life. Let us be in the Word enough to pray and quote verses that destroy strongholds. We can start each morning by confirming our thoughts on what we know to be accurate and constant in our lives – God’s grace and His Word –the continuous, irrevocable promises we can claim daily. “True joy is the divine work of the Spirit in a yielded vessel” (Find Joy in the Journey, Teresa Cooper).  This is my favorite quote from a Bible plan I recently completed. The key phrase here is ‘yielded vessel.’

Intentionally surrendering ourselves to God—inviting the Holy Spirit into everything we do – to fight the good fight of the faith and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness (I Timothy 4:7, ESV).

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8, emphasis added).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).

Amen, Amen

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

It’s a joy to share new knowledge. For instance, did you know that the English translation for Amen is truly or verily? In Jewish prayers, amen was used as an affirmative response to a statement of wish, affirming its validity. It’s like saying this is sure, valid, or so be it. As you know, using it at the end of a prayer is common.

According to The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, in the NT, Jesus used it at the beginning of His statements to affirm its validity. He prefaced His own words to proclaim the Kingdom of God is bound up with His person and emphasize the authority of what He said (Brand, 56).

You know all those verses that begin with truly, truly – that is really Amen, Amen. Jesus is God’s reliable and faithful witness. He is mentioned in Isaiah as the “God of Amen” (Is. 65:16, ESV) and is also called “The Amen” (Rev. 3:14).

This led me to think about my prayers. It is easy to get into a habit of repeating the exact words to God. I wondered about the importance of always saying ‘In Jesus’ name, Amen” at the end. John teaches that God will grant whatever we ask in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24), and the ESV Study Bible notes say this is not a requirement (John 14:13). Still, effective prayer must ask for and desire the things Jesus delights in (I John 5:15). We are to seek God’s will, not ours. God is wiser than us. I will continue to pray in Jesus’ name. Still, it made me think about why I do it instead of repeating it mindlessly.

Prayer is the essence of communion with God—whether it’s a petition, such as The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6: 9-13), or the great examples in Psalm 86, proclaiming praise, asking pardon, or seeking communion (V63), protection (V57), retribution (V107), or healing (V6)—our words to our Abba are intimate conversations, sincere petitions, and thanksgiving. This communion brings us closer to God and fills our spirits with peace and fulfillment.

Prayer is not throwing words at God—like darts—hoping to hit the mark. We can talk to Him like a Friend and Father, trusting that He knows best, even if we don’t get what we ask for. Our priority is being with God. He is Jehovah—Jireh. The Lord will provide for our every need (Phil. 4:19). The important thing is to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us (Matt. 6:33). When we don’t know what to say or ask for – the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).

Seeking the Kingdom of God continually means being cautious in our communications and actions. We shouldn’t try to make ourselves look good before men but humbly please God alone. Sometimes, our pride gets in the way, but we need to be alert to it and bold enough to honor God in all circumstances as God-pleasers—not people-pleasers. Let’s be inspired to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us.

Another issue is that we must be reminded to pause before we speak. I pray for God to help me not react so quickly with offense or try to defend myself and say the first thing out of my mouth—which usually leads to tension instead of kindness and grace. A simple whisper – Jesus, help me or help me, Holy Spirit – does the trick. The hard part is being mindful of this before I speak.

Jesus said those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matt. 23:12). We can rise above the rest by lowering ourselves at Jesus’ feet. Let’s be bold and courageous enough to take a chance on looking bad before others—if it is righteous acts/obedience to God’s Word and character— we will be exalted in the end when it matters most.

Let us glorify God through acts of love in all circumstances, not just when it is easy. Amen.

Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

Compassion and Unity

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Both compassion and unity have been on my mind recently. At first, I thought of them exclusively, but the more I read and think about them, the more I realize they are not mutually exclusive – instead, they are the threads that weave us together. We cannot truly experience unity without compassion for others; we connect through compassion.

Jesus, our ultimate role model, demonstrated compassion to the highest degree. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains that compassion is a fundamental Christian asset that should guide every believer’s life (Brand, 326). It captures the very character of God, who is the source of every believer’s capacity to have genuine compassion (325). This divine origin of compassion reassures us of our connection to God and each other. Peter listed compassion among the essential Christan virtues (I Pet. 3:8, ESV).

Paul reminds us that the demand for compassion is rooted in God’s very nature. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-6, Emphasis,).

‘But God’ – is a powerful phrase not to be taken lightly. Please don’t skip over this when you are reading Scripture. It is significant each time it is used and demands our full attention and engagement. The ESV Study Bible notes that when things look the grimmest, Paul utters the most remarkable short phrase in the history of human speech. God’s mercy is undeniably from His loving heart – not from anything anyone does to deserve it. Only by grace!

This leads me to unity:  a circumstance of harmony (Brand, 1621). To achieve harmony, we must share the same love, which originates from God. Paul emphasizes a shared concern for one another (I Cor. 12:25) and encourages us to live out our life in Christ and the Spirit by living in unity (Phil. 2:1-2). “For Paul, the unity of the church reflects the unity of the Godhead: one God (I Cor. 12:6), one Lord (Rom. 10:12, I Cor. 12:5, Eph 4:5), and one Spirit (I Cor. 12:4-11; Acts 11:17)” (Brand 1621).

In today’s divided world, we need more people to come together in love and compassion. We can be a beacon in someone’s life in small ways—even a smile can brighten someone’s day. This reminds me of the Hello Human Kindness commercials, which are probably the best TV commercials, in my opinion. They are sure to make you smile and maybe even cry.

The power of prayer is often underestimated. When God’s people band together in unity, miraculous things can happen. It is crucial that we pray for our country and the hurting people around us who need to know Christ. So many marriages end in divorce, leaving kids without an all-too-important father figure.

All problems arise from our heart condition; Christ is the only remedy.

I challenge you to pray for unity and harmony that stem from compassion and are rooted in Christ.

I am sure everyone knows someone who is struggling with their marriage. Fill in the blank: Father God, I pray for unity and harmony in ______________’s marriage’ that they would know Christ and have compassion for each other. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name – Amen.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts” (Ps. 139:23-24, ESV, emphasis added)!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32, emphasis added).

What Does Freedom Mean to You?

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Although the Fourth of July may be over (until next year), the fireworks continue to keep us up at night. Celebrating freedom comes at a cost –not just the loss of sleep.  

Like our freedom in Christ, Jesus paid the price at a high cost, which means substantially more than losing a few nights of sleep. Still, the celebration of freedom we enjoy each day can sometimes be taken for granted.

One of my favorite verses from Paul’s words, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17, ESV, emphasis added), holds a profound meaning. The ESV Study Bible explains that this freedom is the multi-faceted liberation that comes with salvation in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which is freedom from condemnation, sin, guilt, and death. This freedom also gives us access to the loving presence of God as it does away with the old covenant. It invites us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Something I did not know existed for most of my life.

After many years of bondage, Christ showed me a different way. With God’s help, I broke out of the lies that kept me in captivity. The horrific, suffocating cycle I was stuck in no longer held me imprisoned. It took a tragic accident to jolt me awake from my self-induced stupor. But God gave me the power and freedom to say no, set boundaries, and begin to peel back the layers of my past that led to healing.

During a difficult season in my life, I thought God was punishing me for my poor choices. The mental anguish that followed was destructive, but I now realize it was the consequences of my bad decisions – not God’s punishment. God was always rooting for me. He didn’t wait for me to clean myself up to take me in His arms. He took me in His arms first and then helped me make the necessary changes to align with His will.

As achronic people-pleaser, I had a lot to learn. I can certainly relate to Paul when he writes, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10, emphasis added).

Absolute freedom comes from surrendering everything to Christ and keeping Him at the center. Once I figured this out, everything else fell into place. I am free from shame and the lack of self-worth, and I find my identity as a daughter of the King.

Who are you trying to please – man or God? What does freedom mean to you?

The Gift of Reconciliation

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, reconciliation is the bringing together of two parties, a change or exchange (Brand, 1337).

We can all relate to reconciliation in some form or fashion, whether it be our bank statements that we end up dumping a few dollars into ‘reconciliation discrepancies’ or those who spend hours painstakingly looking for a few cents. Then there are the number of marriages that chalk their divorces up to irreconcilable differences.

The stark truth is that, according to Divorce.com, a significant 57.7% of divorces are labeled as irreconcilable differences. It’s a call to action that some of these couples might have spent more time balancing their bank accounts for a few cents than nurturing their marriages.  

If any relationship merits this category, it would be humans with God after the Fall. Yet, in His profound love for us (Romans 5:8) and his unwavering desire to be in a relationship with His people (Hebrews 8:10), God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him by the gift of grace through Christ (2 Cor. 5:20, ESV).

There are two examples in the Bible where the person who hurt someone takes the initiative to reconcile the relationship (Matt. 5:24; I Cor. 7:11). The ESV Study Bible notes that the opposite is true about God. In our case, the injured party (God) takes the initiative to restore the relationship between Himself and humanity. This unexpected twist is the result of Jesus Christ bringing together God and man with the result of salvation (2 Cor. 5:19).

Only through this union are attitudes transformed, and we humbly and gratefully receive the gift of reconciliation God has already achieved in Christ (Rom. 5:11).

Still, suppose we don’t recognize our sinful nature and need for a Savior. In that case, we won’t seek God or the relationship Christ offers or receive the wonderful gift of reconciliation because of His love for us. Take a moment to reflect on someone you know who may need to hear the message of God’s love – or see it in how we show them love.

“For I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38, NLT, Emphasis added).

Smile…God Loves You!

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Smiles, like yawns, are contagious. If you share one, you’ll likely get one in return. But the benefits of smiling go beyond this simple exchange. As Dr. Earlexia Norwood of Henry Ford Health points out, smiling has multiple benefits. Yet, we often smile less as we age, missing out on the opportunity to connect with others.

The article states that studies conclude that some benefits are reduced blood pressure, increased endurance, reduced pain and stress, and a strengthened immune system. Furthermore, when we smile, we are not just helping ourselves; since the domino effect is at play, we are also helping others.

Another article by Better by Today on NBC News Now says that smiling, even when we don’t feel like it, can trick the brain into thinking we are happy, resulting in the same benefits. It states that smiling spurs a chemical reaction that releases hormones, including dopamine and serotonin.

The Bible also says something about smiling – or a cheerful face – which comes from a glad heart, indicating a positive attitude toward life when the inner self is healthy (Proverbs 15:13, ESV). It continues, pointing out that a joyful heart is good medicine, while a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Going through life with a sour attitude and face can harm us. Smiling is linked to a positive attitude derived from our relationship with God and the condition of our inner heart. It is not always easy to stay positive and keep our eyes on Christ when things are not going well. Nevertheless, staying grateful for the blessings we have will help. One day at a time is the pace of grace. Waking up with breath in our lungs is something to be grateful for.

Recently, I asked God for a new perspective, and boy, He delivered! The very next morning, a friend at church shared a story about a man in Haiti whose knee got infected after surgery because he couldn’t get back to the doctor’s office to take off the metal plate due to gangs blocking the streets. He made a connection for him through another person, who arranged for him to get to a doctor 300 miles away, traveling in a small vehicle full of 40-50 people. It took three different trucks to get him there, but as of Monday, he was having surgery. There are many more details that I am sure I am leaving out, but you get the idea. This story hit me hard and reminded me that people are dealing with much worse things than my feeble problems.

Can you relate? Do the blessings we have every day that most take for granted make you smile? That and the fact that God loves us, no matter what should make us keep a smile on our faces. Thanking God for everything makes a big difference in our attitude and perspective. Can you list all the things that make you smile?

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thes. 5:16-18, Emphasis added).

Fish Symbolism

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

As kids, our dad took us fishing on many occasions, sometimes at Lake Reba, one of the ponds on our farm, or on the banks of the Kentucky River that ran near our property. Much like other childhood memories, he ensured we were cared for, from baiting our hooks to removing any fish we might catch to retrieving our tangled lines out of the trees (mostly the latter, in my case). And let’s not forget the chicken liver-baited hook slapping into the eye incident. We somehow survived.

As I got older, I still enjoyed fishing. As you may recall, after many years of dreaming about fly fishing, I finally crossed that one off my bucket list. You can read that blog here. It was a fantastic experience, and as I stated in the article, I loved wearing the waders way too much.  

I’ve often wondered what the fish symbol meant in Christianity when I saw it on the back of cars. I eventually related it to Matthew 4:19, where Jesus called His first disciples, asked them to follow Him, and promised to make them fishers of men – without deeper consideration on my part.

In The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, I recently cast my net a little further and found that the early Christian church used the Greek words “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” as a cipher that spelled ichthus. The fish became a standard Christian symbol used as a secret code (Brand, 576).

Furthermore, in the Old Testament, fish in a net symbolized God’s judgment (Ps. 66:11; Ezek. 32:3). Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a net thrown into the sea and loaded with an array of fish in many varieties (Matt. 4:18-19, Brand 576).

The beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry was preceded by baptism by John the Baptist and God, the Father, announcing Him as His Son. Once John was thrown in prison, Jesus knew His time had come. He began teaching the gospel message. Jesus’ ministry, as denoted by the New Living Translation Study Bible, had three main features: teaching, announcing the Kingdom, and healing. Matthew 4:12 – 11:1 shows that after being announced by John the Baptist and the Father (3:13-17) and His obedience by enduring testing in the wilderness (4:1-11), Jesus the Messiah was prepared for ministry.

Likewise, after we are baptized and announced clean by the Father, the Holy Spirit immediately enters our hearts and helps us fight against the temptations of our past; we are equipped to proclaim the gospel message to others.

We must sometimes put on our waders (God’s armor) and tread the creek beds where the fish are – allowing God to help us fight our spiritual battles as we cast our nets further and point others to Christ by how we live. It takes a leap of faith to go where God leads us. Sometimes, suppose we stay on the bank instead of following, we can get entangled in the trees around us or symbolically slapped in the face with chicken liver – anything the devil uses to keep us from going – fears, doubts, trust issues. Just as my dad took care of all our needs while fishing, our heavenly Father ensures we have all we need as we fish for His people.

Jesus’ first message shows us that we must repent and turn to God to follow Him (Matt. 4:17, ESV). Letting others know there is hope is good, but helping them realize they need hope in Christ is essential. We must first see our brokenness to recognize the need for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

How can you strap some waders on this week and cast your net for God?

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37, Emphasis added).

God’s Justice and Love Meet at the Cross

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

At first glance, some Old Testament stories of God’s wrath may be hard to swallow. In reconciling God’s character as a loving God, we must first put it into context and not single out one instance apart from the rest of the Bible, which displays His mercy in that He supplied the resolution through His Son, Jesus.

Human sin separated people from God. But He still wanted to be with them. How often do we read God’s Word in the OT, saying, “You shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Jer. 30:2, English Standard Version, Emphasis added)? The punitive righteousness of God was the only way. Righteousness itself is grounded in the character of God (Brand, 2015, 1673). Still, God is love. He incredibly displayed His radical love by giving His Only Son as a substitute for sin because He wants us to be in a relationship with Him. No matter what we have done – He still loves us immensely.

Like many today, the people in the Old Testament stories refused to believe in the Creator and worshipped creation – known as idolatry. Our objects of worship may look different, but it is the same old problem. We still put other people and things ahead of God. Unlike in those days, we now have hope in Jesus Christ, who stands in the gap, allowing us to be forgiven forever. Jesus Christ received the punishment we deserved, showing God’s abundant and deep love for His people.

The righteousness of God, as presented by Paul in Romans, shows how the character of God not only demands judgment for sin but supplies the answer to sin through Christ’s death and resurrection for all those who believe.  According to The Message of Romans, John Stott explains that Paul must defend God’s behavior and righteous character. “He is convinced that whatever God does – in salvation (3:25) or in judgment (2:5) – is consistent with his righteousness” (Stott, 2021).

God’s love toward His people calls for salvation through grace to enjoy a relationship with Him despite our sinful condition. His holiness demands an answer that only Christ could fulfill. In that fulfillment, His merciful love shines through and benefits us.

Therefore, God is not only the Just but also the Justifier, with an image at the cross where God’s justice and love meet (Rom. 3:26).

The best part is that we don’t have to wait to clean ourselves up and change our character – God wants us to come as we are – He will do the rest. He isn’t looking for perfection – He’s seeking a willing heart.

Bibliography

Brand, Chad., ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, B & H Publishing, 2015.

Stott, John. The Message of Romans, InterVarsity Press, 2020. ProQuest E-book Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=6406189.

Hope is Alive

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God is real. Hope is alive in Christ.

Those following my journey know that my heart has been guarded for a long time. I hadn’t dated in almost ten years after coming out of an abusive relationship. After becoming a Christ-follower, I learned more about who I am – as God’s child and who He says I am, instead of listening to Satan’s lies.

I have been building on my relationship with God, learning to make better decisions (making decisions at all is a huge accomplishment), and more about myself, such as my favorite things. God also helped me set and achieve some incredible goals I never had in mind.

I have not hidden my story but allowed God to use it to help others. This blesses my life immensely and takes the edge off the painful experiences. I can testify to the fact that God is a Redeemer.  

I didn’t know if God was preparing someone for me – but a while back, I began to have hope that He was. A few years ago, God connected me with a woman in Florida named Dana, who is a counselor for women who have been abused. She had her own story to share – but what stuck with me is that she also told me there was hope. She had re-married a wonderful man who respected her, and she wanted me to know there were still good, godly men in this broken world.

Even though, for anyone who asked, I was not looking for a man, I realized in my heart that if God had someone for me, He would need to put them in my path and show me. It couldn’t be of my own doing but rather something of God beyond the shadow of a doubt. He did just that. Every step of the way, God has been abundantly clear with confirmations. Even when the enemy tried to steal my joy with doubts and fears – God restored peace in my heart and supplied a patient, prayerful companion to help me through it.

Hope is essential to our journey. It provides the ingredients needed for perseverance on our walk with Christ.

Through Faith Walk Ministries and the care group I lead, the Sister’s Circle, God allows me to share this hope with other women survivors, as Dana did for me. As you may have noticed, I have a new name – but more than that – I am excited to share that I have a wonderful new husband who respects me, loves Jesus, and prays with and for me…just a few things from my laundry list of requirements I told God about a few years ago.

The Bible supplies a filter for character traits to seek – I Cor. 13:4-8. If you have not read this lately, please do, but I will give you a few of them: Love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not rude or arrogant and does not insist on its own way…love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.

There is hope. God redeems.

If you know anyone who could receive help from the Sister’s Circle support group, please share this blog and the link above for information about how to sign up.

“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, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).