A Thrill of Hope, the weary world rejoices!

Last Saturday Pastor Brent brought an encouraging word about Hope Restored and he used scenes from It's a Wonderful Life to illustrate how hope changes our perspective even before circumstances have changed (listen here: http://blazingfire.podbean.com/2013/12/03/brent-lokker-hope-survives-11-30-13/)

Several people asked for the translation he came up with for Romans 5:2-5. First, the English Standard Version with brief descriptions for the various Greek words in parenthesis:

Through Christ we have also obtained access (admission)
by faith (agreement with God)
into this grace (God’s action on your behalf)
in which we stand, and we rejoice (massive boasting)
in hope of the glory of God.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings (trials),
knowing that suffering produces endurance (hanging in there under pressure),
and endurance produces character (the quality of being approved as a result of test and trials), and character produces hope (giddy, childlike expectation of good),
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Here is Brent Lokker's Translation--BLT ;)

Through what Jesus has done for us, God has given us free admission into His favor as we agree with God that He is super-abundantly good. All that leaves room for is to boast BIG time in the astounding character of our awesome God and the wonder of knowing He’s making us just like Himself!

I can keep my joy in the midst of hard times because I’m certain that Papa is training me to hang in there under pressure while He gives me His affirmation and a childlike heart to expect
His good to come. Therefore, going through hard times is never shameful but a springboard to experience more intimacy with the Holy Spirit who walks with me and to revel in the love of my Father who is working all things out for my good.

Christ is in you, the hope of glory! Who can you offer hope to? Every day you’re alive, look for at least one...