wrapping up... Romans 8...?

Feeling a little at a loss with no place to start today... after six-plus weeks of prompts...

But... Good Friday to Easter... had some interesting moments...

It began with the wrapping up of Romans 8...

Some may be wondering... Why Romans 8 in the first place...?
What was the prompt to spend Lent... wading through Romans 8...?

A few short weeks before... I had a sit down with our new pastor...

In the course of the conversation... a verse from Romans 8 came up...

And we know that in all things God works for the good

of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Our pastor then proceeded to tell me that when he didn't know the answer to a test question in seminary... he would write... Romans 8... 

One day... one of his professors asked him why he did this...

and he said... It is the answer to everything... (or something to that affect...)

This thought stuck with me... so much so... I believed Him to be moving me to spend time in Romans 8 during the season of Lent...

Moving forward by faith... confirmation came when the final post... of the final passage of Romans 8... fell on Good Friday...! 

When I began... I had no plan... I listened... followed... trusted... and this was the first wonder... of the Easter weekend...

Now... I'm not sure I'm finished with it... not sure I've gleaned all He wanted me to glean... Did I find the answer to everything...? on the journey through Lent...?

Feeling a move to go deeper... but probably not here...

I'll see what the next few days bring...

a wrapping up...?

or a further unwrapping...?

The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130 ESV

Wondering if you learned anything from the walk through Romans 8... or do you have new questions...?

Would love to hear your thoughts... 

Leave a comment... if you feel so moved... 

[click the post title... scroll to the bottom... find the box that says... Post a comment...]

Romans 8... day 33...

For I am sure that neither death nor life,

nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 ESV

Powerful...

God's love... in Christ Jesus... is powerful...

So here... on Good Friday... I see... this powerful love... in the cross...

Neither death... nor life...

angels... or rulers...

things present... or things to come...

powers... heights... depths...

not anything in all creation...

is able to separate us from this love...

that held Him to the cross...

Don't you see that's the only thing that kept Him there...?

"... Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father,

and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?..."

---Jesus

Matthew 26:53 ESV

Jesus... made it clear at the time of His arrest... speaking to the disciple who drew a sword... This is my choice...

I'm reminded of the first time I fasted...

the day was long...

the temptations numerous...

By the end... I was staring at a candy jar in my kitchen...

thinking how easy it would be... just to lift the lid... and eat...

Struggling... I prayed a foolish prayer...

Lord... at least You had chains binding You... dragging You to the cross...

Instantly... He said...

As easily as you could lift that candy jar lid... I could have come out from under the chains...

That... is a perspective changer...

Take a moment... read all Romans 8... in its entirety...

Do you find your perspective changed...?

Do you find new encouragement to live by the Spirit... and not by the desires of the flesh...?

Do you have a deeper understanding of being His child...? what it means to be an heir...? what sonship entails...?

Do you get why...? all things work for good in the lives of those who love Him...? and answer the call to fulfill His purpose...?

Do you feel sure...? of His powerful love...? for you...?

Yes...

LOVE... 

held Him on the cross...

What... in all creation...

could ever separate us...

from a love powerful enough...

to hold the Creator on a cross...

Lord Jesus... thank You...

Continue to grow me in knowledge and understanding...

when it comes to Your love... and grace...

Let Your Word... encourage me... to live every moment...

by the Spirit... and not by my flesh...

Thank You for Your love...

that saved me...

Romans 8... day 32...

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,

or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us.

Romans 8:35-37 ESV

This passage has always held a bit of difficulty for me...

but I see... maybe... a little more clearly what's being said...

after wading through the whole... bit... by... bit...

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ...?

The One who died for us... loves us...

For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only Son...

John 3:16 ESV

...I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

If He willingly died for our sins...

having all the vile... unholy... acts of the generations...

placed on Him...

what in all creation...

could separate us from His love...?

He knows the worst... and still loves us...

In our humanness... Believers often misread... 

tribulation...

distress...

persecution...

famine...

nakedness...

danger...

sword...

as punishment...

If He loves me... Why...?... are bad things happening to me...?

What about Him...?

"Now is the Son of Man glorified,

and God is glorified in him. ..."

---Jesus

John 13:31 ESV

These are Jesus's words...

spoken as soon as the betrayer left the Last Supper...

What came next...?

Arrest...

Abandonment...

False accusation...

Injustice...

Mocking...

Persecution...

Flogging...

Jeering...

Crucifixion...

God the Father... loves the Son...

If through all this... (that from this side of creation seems so unfair... horrific...) He is glorified... could it be... that His love for us... may somehow play out the same way...?

For Your sake we are being killed all the day long...

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered...

This is the verse that gives me trouble...

Yet now... on the eve of Good Friday... I begin to gain a glimpse of the reality...

Through Christ's crucifixion...

death...

He paid the price for all sin...

and for those who believe...

made death a non sequitor...

insignificant...

Therefore... there may be times He uses trials... injustices... horrors... in our lives... not to punish... but to glorify who He is... and us... through our faithfulness... praise... trust... through whatever He allows...

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV

The glory comes... when others see our response...

and perhaps... move toward salvation...

because we willingly suffered...

as sheep to be slaughtered...

for His sake...

Jesus is that Ultimate Sheep...

killed for His sake...

in return for our salvation...

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not driven to despair;

persecuted, but not forsaken;

struck down, but not destroyed;

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV

No...!

We are not just sheep to be slaughtered...

In Him...

we are more... than... conquerors...

Romans 8... day 31...

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?

It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?

Christ Jesus is the one who died

--- more than that, who was raised ---

who is at the right hand of God,

who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:33-34 ESV

We learned yesterday... God is for us... therefore... who in the world can be against us...?

Today... we see those in Christ... do not even have to hear any charge against them...

We do not have to listen... pay any attention... to any accusation...

Did you know... the word... Satan... is a transliteration of a Hebrew word...?

This word... satan... means... adversary... one (a natural or supernatural being who opposes another... either as a verbal antagonist and so a slanderer or accuser... (Dictionary of Biblical Languages)

Do you see it...? 

Satan... he is the Accuser...

As an elect of Father God... His son in Christ Jesus... we do not have to pay attention to anything this accuser speaks to us...

Satan only utters lies... 

You do not have to listen... when he calls you guilty... 

when he condemns you as... worthless...

or mocks you as... too much trouble...

It is God who justifies...

And He has chosen to justify you in His Son...

Who can possibly condemn you...? when the Ultimate Judge... the Writer of the Rules... the Definer of Right and Wrong... defends you as guiltless...? holy...? chosen...?

Christ died... for your sin... for mine...

not only that... He was raised... because He had no sin of His own...

and He currently stands... at the right hand of God...

interceding for us...

Satan accuses...

Jesus says... Not possible... that's been paid for...

Satan condemns...

Jesus says... No way... this one's worth dying for...

Jesus... who knows what we truly deserve...

because He bore it...

forgives... us...

defends... us...

frees... us...

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

---Jesus

Luke 23:34 ESV

The One who loved us enough to take our place...

die for us...

provides all the Reason...

for Father God to justify us...

The next time the enemy begins to accuse... condemn... incriminate...

don't bother to listen... tune him out...

and... tune in to the One... who justifies... defends... saves...

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, a people for his own possession,

that you may proclaim the excellencies of him

who called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

Romans 8... day 30...

What shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all,

how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:31-32 ESV

In light of all... these things... He has done...

• sending His Son in the flesh for the condemnation of sin...
• giving His Spirit to live in us and bring life...
• free us from the law of sin and death...
• bless us with the spirit of sonship by whom we cry Abba! Father!

...He has shown Himself as a God... who is... for us...

Therefore... if He is for us... 

who in all creation...

both seen and unseen...

could possibly be against us...?

There is none greater than He...

He is the Most High...

God of gods... Lord of lords...

How awesome is the Lord Most High,

the great King over all the earth!

Psalm 47:2

He did not spare His own Son...

but gave Him up for us all...

Can you imagine such a thing...? The Creator of the universe... giving up His Son... for His rebellious creatures...?

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:3-4 ESV

In light of all these things... 

How is it we ever doubt His motive in our lives...?

Why do we complain...? grumble...? when we don't get our way...? or don't get what we think we deserve...?

What is wrong with us...? that we don't believe His great love for us...?

He did not spare His Son...

How will He not also... graciously... 

with Him... give us all things...?

How is it we ask for more...!?

Why isn't His sacrifice of grace enough for us...?

O Lord... Gracious Father God... 

let this truth... root deeply in my heart...

You are... more than enough...

Amen...

Romans 8... day 29...

And those whom he predestined, he also called,

and those whom he called he also justified,

and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 8:30 ESV

You are predestined... to be conformed to the image of His Son...

You have also been called...

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine. ..."

Isaiah 43:1 ESV

and justified...

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 ESV

and glorified...

For it was fitting that he,

for whom and by whom all things exist,

in bringing many sons to glory,

should make the founder of  their salvation

perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

I think back to where we first began... 

There is therefore now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 ESV

How hard this truth is to believe... to walk in whole-heartedly...

This chapter is all about understanding the spiritual life... being Spirit led... while still walking around in flesh...

It's about... understanding who we are in Christ...

We are consumed... at times... with the guilt of our sin... past and present...

We wonder if our suffering... is the just punishment... of an awesome God...

Paul tells us... we are new...

things are not always the way they seem...

there is something more going on...

You have been called by name...
justified by faith...
glorified by grace...

Believe it...

You... are... more...

[click here to view on YouTube... or click post title to view on Jeremiah's Menu...]

Romans 8... day 28...

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined 

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

in order that he might be the firstborn

among many brothers.

Romans 8:29 ESV

He has known you... always...

even before the world was...

For He chose us in Him,

before the foundation of the world,

to be holy and blameless in His sight.

Ephesians 1:4 HCSB

He has had a specific purpose in mind for you...

since before you were...

For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand,

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

The purpose of your life... is to know Him...

be conformed to His image...

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust,

we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1Corinthians 15:49 ESV

The suffering... waiting... enduring... 

is about being reborn...

into His image... 

becoming His brother...

Are you more caught up in the things of the world...? 

or in becoming a brother of Christ...?

Seeking His Kingdom first... is about this pursuit...

He says...

"... Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;

I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. ..."

Isaiah 48:10 ESV

Interpreting everything that comes into our lives... as a means to purify... refine... who we are... to be like Him... is the best way to stay focused on Him... and not get distracted by the things of this world... which don't really matter in the end...

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Romans 8... day 27...

And we know that for those who love God

all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

I love this verse...
it's one of the first I memorized...
one of the first I clung to...

I love this verse because it summarizes the awesome power of our amazing God...

He is the One...
who works all things together for good...
in the lives of those who love Him...

Oh... where to begin...

The first epiphany I had regarding the depth of this verse revolved around my own sinful past...

Grave choices made reeked havoc in my soul...

Through this particular Word... I began to see... experience... God's power and grace...

He works all things together... for good...

We're talking... past... present... future... things...

From the moment you receive Christ as your own... by owning your sin... and accepting His willingness to take it from you... a miraculous event takes place...

Everything you've ever done... are doing... or will do...

is worked by Him... into good for you... if you love Him...

Now... it was a challenge at first  to see how He might use what I've done for my good...

He revealed His allowing of my sinful choices... as the medium He used to protect me from a life of legalistic pride...

A hard pill to swallow...

but... yes... I see it...
and in light of His sovereignty...

agree with it...

The second epiphany concerned difficulties... trials... that come into our lives through no apparent fault of our own...

This verse tells us no matter how horrendous or devastating it might seem He possesses the POWER to work it all together for your good...

Do you believe it...?

I mean some pretty horrible things happen in this broken corrupt world... you know what I'm talking about... but He says...

...for those who love God...

ALL THINGS... work together...

...for... GOOD...

It sounds ridiculous... yet...

I have to consider... personally... I've experienced the illness and death of my mom... which seemed devastating at the time... but it is what He used to bring me to Him...

In the eternal scheme of things... I claim it as all GOOD...!

Look at Joseph's life... 

hated by his brothers...

sold into slavery...

falsely accused...

unjustly jailed...

only to end up second to one... in the most powerful nation on earth...

...for those who love God... all things... work together... for good...

He alone has the power to allow what the enemy intends for harm...

and actually intend it for good...

the good of His people who love Him...

and for His glory... according to His purpose...

And not only that... the good He works in your life... through both terrible and wonderful events... works good into the lives of all who love Him...

Somehow... all tied up together in the Body of Christ... are all sorts of things... God is working for good for those who love Him...

In Christ... He encompasses your entire life's history...

and works it... into good for you... and His people...

All this hangs on His sovereignty...

Everything... that happens... or comes into your life... (your choices... other people's choices...) flows through His divine hands...

Who has spoken and it came to pass,

unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that good and bad come?

Lamentations 3:37-38 ESV

From here... we can firmly stand... 

He is the Rock... and... Redeemer...

One last note... on His spectacular power... to work all things for good... a perspective changer...

The enemy... enticed man... to sin...

through the one sin...

corruption and death... entered creation...

The most amazing thing to me... is the remaining beauty... of creation... even in its brokenness...

We see everyday... the effects of sins destruction...

but overall... God's good... 

through beauty... life... re-creation...

overpowers the effects of evil...

Beauty...

Life...

Re-creation...

Evidence... of His working all things for good... for those who love Him...

How can you NOT love Him...?

Romans 8... day 26...

And he who searches hearts knows

what is the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints

according to the will of God.

Romans 8:27 ESV

... he who searches hearts...

Who is he...  who searches hearts...?

...the Lord searches all hearts 

and understands every plan and thought. ...

1 Chronicles 28:9 ESV

"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind,

and give every man according to his ways,

according to the fruit of his deeds."

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV

He... the Lord God... searches hearts... and knows the mind of the Spirit...

The Spirit Himself... is God... and only speaks what He hears...

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,

for he will not speak on his own authority, 

but whatever he hears, he will speak...

John 16:13 ESV

The intercessory groanings... too deep for words... are clearly understood by the Father...

He knows our hearts...

He knows what we need...

He knows the mind of the Spirit...

Who only prays according to His will...

All prayers for you... presented before the Father... by the Spirit... are tailor-made for you...

Each groan... filtered through the will of God... your heavenly Father...

And because you are sons,

God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,

crying, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 4:6 ESV

Rest easy... trust Him... 

with whatever you are suffering...

with whatever you are hoping for...

with whatever you need patience to endure...

Romans 8... day 25...

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us

with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26 ESV

Likewise... the Spirit helps us... in our weakness...

likewise... 1: in like manner: similarly... 2: in addition... 3: similarly so with me...

We must look back in the text... to see what likewise refers to...

Sufferings...

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time

are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 ESV

Hoping... waiting... 

Now hope that is seen is not hope.

For who hopes for what he sees?

Romans 8:24 ESV

Patience... endurance...

But if we hope for what we do not see,

we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:25 ESV

Likewise... in the suffering... hoping... enduring...
the Spirit helps us...
in our weakness...

Suffering... waiting... enduring patiently... expose our weaknesses...
physical...
spiritual...
emotional...

In our weakness... we grow weary... desperate... impatient...
Hearts ache... prayers have no words...

Yet... likewise... the Spirit stands fully in His glory...
He knows what lies ahead...
He helps us in our weakness...

The Spirit intercedes for us...
prays for us...
when we can't utter an Amen...

Our own groans...
echoed by the Spirit...
standing before the Father...
groaning on our behalf...

What a picture...

What a blessing...

An awesome reality... which helps us...
suffer...
hope...
endure...

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me...

Psalm 139:6 ESV

Romans 8... day 24...

Now hope that is seen is not hope.

For who hopes for what he sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see,

we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:24-25 ESV

Hope... fills a void...

sustains a longing...

encourages endurance...

Once hope is fulfilled... it disappears...

or we replace it with another...

because the human heart is not easily satisfied...

... hope that is seen... is not hope...

But without hope we are lost...

becoming prey to...

despair... 

doubt... 

depression...

To live hope-full... is to live... faith-full...

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Hope... inspired the shepherd... to leave the ninety-nine... to find the lost one he could not see...

Hope... encouraged the woman... to sweep diligently... until she found the lost coin... she knew not where...

Hope... kept the father's eyes on the road... day after day... month after month... waiting for his lost son to return... he knew not when...

Hope... keeps the farmer... sowing... tilling... weeding... when there is nothing to see...

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

James 5:7 ESV

Hope... 

fuels patience... 

provokes action...

For whatever was written in the former days

was written for our instruction, that through endurance

and through the encouragement of the Scriptures

we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 ESV

But when it's fulfilled...

no longer necessary...

hope... ignites... joy...

Through [our Lord Jesus Christ] we have also obtained

access by faith into this grace in which we stand,

and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:2 ESV

Father God... bless me with hope...

firmly planted in Your coming glory...

that I might diligently wait... 

faithfully... gracefully... joyfully...

Romans 8... day 23...

And not only the creation, but we ourselves,

who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,

groan inwardly as we wait eagerly 

for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved.

Romans 8:23-24 ESV

Believers... possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit... 

groan... suffer... along with all creation...

We know... things are not as they should be...

Our own bodies...
subject to the corruption of the world...
labor with...
disease...
aging...
brokenness...

God set eternity in the hearts of men...

We know things are off...
when wrinkles appear...
hair thins...
strength fails...
eyes weaken...
ears grow deaf...

The longer I walk with Him... 

the more my own spirit... 

longs for perfection...

Our spiritual rebirth making us sons of God... 

becomes finalized upon Christ's return...

and our bodies will experience complete redemption...

For in this hope... we were saved...

Believers have their hope set... 

in the completion of redemption...

A different worldview... from those who do not know Him...

Unbelievers... their only hope... is found in this world...

there is no other for them... no other vision...

no alternative...

But we... Believers... have hope in the eternal...

what is to come...

the resurrection hope of Christ Jesus...

In Him... the suffering of this world... 

has meaning... purpose...

there is more to come...

But if this is it...? suffering without redemption...?

We are a pitiful lot...

If in Christ we have hope in this life only,

we are of all people most to be pitied.

1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

Our hope in Him... will not put us to shame... 

our suffering... will have its effect...

...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering

produces endurance, and endurance produces character, 

and character produces hope, 

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.

Romans 5:3-5 ESV

Romans 8... day 22...

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning

together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Romans 8:22 ESV

These present sufferings... which have the whole creation groaning... are labor pains...

Something is about to be birthed...

I've experienced the pains of childbirth... done some groaning myself...

But what I find unique... and most hopeful in this particular verse... connecting suffering with labor pains... is that in the midst of groaning... suffering... were moments of joy... things we look back on now... and laugh...

Something good comes from new birth...

And that is what all this suffering is about...

I know some... who have horrible stories... about their own growing up years... 

The kind of happenings you might see on the Lifetime movie of the week...

Yet... as they tell their stories... born out of suffering... there are these moments of joy... which don't seem possible...

Grounded in all the suffering... is faith in Jesus... His work... His way... which shines the light of joy... into the midst of their stories...

So today... in this verse...

I find a handle to take hold of... 

a firm place to set my foot...

when it comes to suffering...

Because of Jesus...

it's all purposeful...

moving us toward an end... which is good...

part of the process... of making all things new...

And he who was seated on the throne said,

"Behold, I am making all things new."

Revelation 21:5 ESV

The next time you hear about... or experience... creation groaning... through...

violent storms...

earthquakes...

tornadoes...

rock slides...

flash floods...

recognize them for what they are...

labor pains...

Then... Behold... see Him... making all things... NEW...

"... He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,

and death shall be no more, neither shall there be 

mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, 

for the former things have passed away."

Revelation 21:4 ESV

The memory of the suffering doesn't last long...

when you're holding... experiencing... something... brand... new...

Romans 8... day 21...

For the creation was subjected to futility,

not willingly, but because of him who subjected it,

in hope that the creation itself will be set free

from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom

of the glory of the children of God.

Romans 8:20-21 ESV

Because of mankind's sin... creation was subjected to futility... not willingly... but because of Him... who subjected it...

And to Adam he said,

"Because you have listened to the voice of your wife

and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,

'You shall not eat of it,'

cursed is the ground because of you..."

Genesis 3:17 ESV

The earth suffered fallout... from man's sin... 

...cursed is the ground because of you...

Creation did not suffer willingly... as Christ did... 

Being subject to His sovereignty... just as we are... the earth endures futility... 

Not only do we desire... freedom... release from the bondage of corruption... but all creation does...

The creation waits eagerly in hope... that it too will obtain the freedom... of the glory... of the children of God...

A freedom all glorious... without corruption...

Today... currently... we are all... still under the curse...

illness...

brokenness...

disease...

death...

which plagues all creation...

We live with the hope of the freedom... to come...

but even in brokenness...

hope... blooms...

I planted hope months ago... 

Tulip bulbs... deep in the ground... buried...

an exercise in waiting...

The last week or so... they began blooming...

I've watched their leaves... peak through the dirt...

get taller...

buds forming...

opening...

They are not quite what I hoped for...

These tulips are short...

imperfect...

marred...

battered by rain...

Yes... hope bloomed... but not to my eager expectation...

So... today... I'm reminded... 

of creation's bondage to corruption...

my sin...

and the futility of this earth...

But... I also see afresh the need to not plant my hopes in the things of this world...

I need to invest all my hope... in His Kingdom... that is to come...

Romans 8... day 20...

For the creation waits with eager longing

for the revealing of the sons of God.

Romans 8:19 ESV

All creation... waits with eager longing... for the sons of God to be revealed...

The sons of God... those who live according to the law of the Spirit of life... bring life... as they live for His glory...

Humankind was not the only casualty of sin...

The fatal act in the garden... brought death to all creation... gave birth to disease... brokenness... 

All creation... broke... when mankind... sinned...

And all creation... waits eagerly... longingly... for the sons of God to be fully revealed...

The revealing... will be an unveiling of sorts...

When He returns... everything will be uncovered... for what it really is...

"... Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed,

or hidden that will not be known. ..." ---Jesus

Luke 12:2 ESV

There are those of us in Christ... who do not fully know... who we are in Him... we allow unbelief to veil who we really are...

Sanctification is part of that process... of learning who we are in Him... but a day is coming... when we will be set free... from all the lies of the enemy... all the wounds and scars that bind...

...the revealing of the sons of God...

We also wait... for those who do not yet know... they are sons of God...

Somewhere in our future... God sees hearts turning to Him...

and He will keep waiting... until the full number has been reached...

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness,

but is patient toward you, not wishing any should perish,

but all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

...the revealing of the sons of God...

It's not just about us... it's about all things... seen... unseen... earthbound... and... in the heavenlies...

So the next time you see a diseased tree... a barren landscape... a stray animal... or even roadkill... remember... all creation... is waiting... eagerly... for the unveiling... of all God's sons... and daughters...

Romans 8... day 19...

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time

are not worth comparing with the glory

that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 ESV

Yes... our inheritance in Christ... is connected with suffering... but it pales... in comparison to the glory to be revealed...

No one suffered more than Christ on the cross...

physical pain...

humiliation...

injustice...

abandonment...

betrayal...

rejection...

He is the model... for how we are to handle suffering... in His name...

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him, endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 12:2

Do you see how He endured...?

...for the joy... set before Him...

Endurance requires a vision of all that is to come...

the joy set before us...

the glory to be revealed...

when everything is set right...

So... fix your eyes on Jesus... the author and perfecter... of your faith...

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself,

so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:3 ESV

Romans 8... day 18...

...and if children, then heirs ---

heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

provided we suffer with him

in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:17 ESV

As children of God... we are heirs of God... and fellow heirs with Christ...

But there is a painful proviso... stuck in the middle of this verse...

...provided we suffer with him... 

...then we are heirs...

I remember a time in my late teens... I was listening to a young woman who was really fired up about the whole Christ thing... following Him... really looking forward to His return...

At the time... I didn't know a lot about Him... really had no relationship with Him... but what I did know... was where He ended up... and what was happening when He returned...

It was clear to me... to follow Jesus... meant to end up crucified...

A painful walk... ending in execution...

Honestly... this was not a walk I really wanted to take...

count me out...

And as to His return...?

I knew there would be much blood shed... lots of death and destruction...

Again... not something I relished occurring...

To follow Christ is to suffer...

He tells us to count the cost...

But... what I've learned since then is... either way... in this world... we will suffer...!

"...In this world you will have trouble. ..."

---Jesus

John 16:33

We can suffer for the sake of suffering... or we can suffer for His glory...

He captured my heart... through my mom's suffering... 

her trust in Him... bringing Him glory... through her suffering...

Years later... I am so thankful for the loss of my mom... its timing... 

how He used it to capture my heart... transform my life...

I get it now...

the cost is worth it...

I see it...

Yes... we will have trouble in this world...

a truth He immediately follows up with...

"But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

He suffered... so others may live...

This is the legacy He leaves...

the inheritance we become a part of...

through His suffering...

I pray you get it too...

There is no greater joy...

than recognizing His glory...

in your own suffering...

"... Whoever does not bear his own cross

and come after me cannot be my disciple. ..."

Luke 14:27 ESV

Romans 8... day 17...

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit

that we are children of God...

Romans 8:16 ESV

The Spirit Himself... bears witness with our spirit...

According to the law... two witnesses were required... to put another to death...

On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses

the one who is to die shall be put to death;

a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

Deuteronomy 17:5 ESV

...or make a charge... of any kind...

A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime

or any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed.

Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses

shall a charge be established.

Deuteronomy 19:15 ESV

Here God says... there are two witnesses... to the death of our flesh... the Spirit Himself... and... our spirit...

The Holy Spirit... is a witness... bears confirmation... with our own spirit... that we are God's children... in Christ...

You know... that you know... that you know...
Those things you just know...? you know just because...?
It is that knowledge... along with the testimony of the Holy Spirit... that you are a child of God...

Clear evidence that you... your natural fleshly self... is dead...

We no longer have to listen to... or obey... our flesh... when it comes to temptations... desires... that put us out of sync with the Spirit...

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,

you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature

urges you to do.

Romans 8:12 NLT

The proof has been given... heed it...

I have been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

You are reborn...

a new creation...

heirs to a new life...

Romans 8... day 16...

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery

to fall back into fear, but you have received

the Spirit of adoption as sons,

by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Romans 8:15 ESV

We did not receive the spirit of slavery...

Slavery to sin and death.. is what He freed us from...

For freedom Christ has set us free;

stand firm therefore, and do not submit again

to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 ESV

The spirit of slavery to sin... leads us back into fear... because of punishment...

For fear has to do with punishment...

1 John 4:18 ESV

In Christ... we have received... the Spirit of adoption... as sons...

By this Spirit... we cry... Abba...!  Daddy...!

Our heavenly Father... loves us perfectly... there is no reason to fear...

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

1 John 4:18 ESV

There is discipline... but what father does not discipline...?

Slaves endure punishment... from an owner... who has no interests but his own...

Sons endure discipline... from a loving Father... who has their best interest at heart...

Yes... you may have had a hard earthly father...

one who makes it difficult to trust your heavenly Father...

but He... is... perfect... love...

There is no need to fear the discipline... of our Father in heaven...

He disciplines with... wisdom... grace... mercy... love...

To Him we can run... crying... Daddy...! Daddy...! and expect loving arms to embrace...

He is a Father completely trustworthy... completely faithful...

Receive your Spirit of adoption... as a son... cry out to your Father... who loves you perfectly...

Romans 8... day 15...

For all who are led by the Spirit of God

are sons of God.

Romans 8:14 ESV

If the Spirit of God dwells in you... 

you have been born again... in the Spirit...

a son of God...

"Truly, truly, I say to you,

unless one is born of water and the Spirit,

he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ..."---Jesus

John 3:5 ESV

We enter his kingdom... as sons of God...

brothers of Jesus... 

full... not half... 

We... in Him... are led by the Spirit... the Spirit that blows where it pleases...

Being led by the Spirit... confirms our sonship... and the full inheritance that comes with it...

In him we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

making known to us the mystery of his will,

according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ...

Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV

Life...

Love...

Peace...

Freedom...

Are you becoming familiar with your inheritance in Him...?

Take hold of your sonship...

follow the Holy Spirit...

wherever He leads...

Amen...