tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56745813434807437032011-07-30T19:27:40.602-07:00Jon Moodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03393349820867595524noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5674581343480743703.post-33686217310865496672010-02-22T10:30:00.000-08:002010-02-22T11:07:39.468-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6A1uNmOvx2A/S4LVfts-qXI/AAAAAAAABfw/AACQrLp7PjA/s1600-h/003_012_hope.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441146040637892978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6A1uNmOvx2A/S4LVfts-qXI/AAAAAAAABfw/AACQrLp7PjA/s200/003_012_hope.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Renown faith and love spring from the hope that is stored up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:4-5). When the Bible speaks of hope it has nothing to do with a "positive mental attitude" or "wishful thinking". Our hope comes from a understanding of God's promised future. This understanding is brought about by God's Holy Spirit as we meditate on His Word. Our future is not just bright, it is overwhelming. It includes:</div><br /><ul><br /><li>The finalizing of our adoption as His children (Romans 8:22-25)</li><br /><li>A new resurrection body (1 Cor. 15:42-43)</li><br /><li>A realization that we have the righteousness of Christ (Gal. 5:5; 2 Tim. 4:8)</li><br /><li>Eternal comfort/encouragement (2 Thes 2:16)</li><br /><li>Glory (2 Cor. 3:7-12)</li><br /><li>An awareness of God's total forgiveness (Heb. 10:19-23)</li><br /><li>Grace (1 Peter 1:13)</li><br /><li>True justice meted out for all time (Acts 24:15)</li><br /><li>The renewal of creation itself (Romans 8:19; Rev. 21:1)</li></ul><br /><p>This is just a small sample of what a true follower of Jesus can look forward to. The key is <em><strong>"<u>look</u> <u>forward</u></strong></em>". </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5674581343480743703-3368621731086549667?l=hopeccblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jon Moodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03393349820867595524noreply@blogger.com38