July 21, 2022
Read Romans 8:18-30
18 I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. 20 Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. 23 And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. 24 We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? 25 But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. 27 The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks, because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will. 28 We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 We know this because God knew them in advance, and he decided in advance that they would be conformed to the image of his Son. That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters. 30 Those who God decided in advance would be conformed to his Son, he also called. Those whom he called, he also made righteous. Those whom he made righteous, he also glorified.
Good morning! Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I Say Rejoice!
Paul reminds us that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. God does not cause pain and suffering, but when these things occur, God takes those earthly challenges that cause us despair and turns our grief into something beautiful. Two years ago, my sweet darling went to be with his Lord and Savior. I could never have imagined that our time together would be cut so short. On that day and on each day following, I rely on Paul’s message that our present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us.
I do believe that God provides us with all that we need to rise from our darkest moments like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The pain is still here, but I work to focus on what is good as I follow my calling to serve God’s children. Each day is a new opportunity to see God and to share God’s blessings with others.
We can’t see our future, but as believers we know what we have been promised: eternal glory. We can live each day with the hope of our coming glory. We are called to joyfully serve our God until our time comes. Don’t waste a moment for we know that the hour or the day when we will join our Lord.
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. We live in the hope of all that you have promised to us. Help us to focus on You and Your plan. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When my plans change, I trust that God is still with me.
To God Be the Glory! Pastor Liz