Scriptures

July 2008

“The Future Glory”

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.  For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.  Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse.  All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering.  We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us.  Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom.  For if you already have something, you don’t need to hope for it.  But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress.  For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how we should pray.  But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.  And having chosen them, he called them to come to him.  And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.”    

Romans 8:18-30 NLT

(personal emphasis)

***

In A Nutshell 

God made all things before he made humans.  Knowing that God is a God of order, I believe he made us last to teach us the importance of our place in life, teaching us humility and how to love.  If we embrace all God made first, we will be humbled and learn great love.  And be able to give that love to all whom God embraces.  Remembering “whoever does for the least of these...does for me“.  Matthew 25:40 NLT   He lives....and he can live in all of us...and desires to always be there for us.  Are we....will we...be there for him?

Give him your heart.  Reach our your hand to him today.  He’s waiting.  Show him your love.

***

There is More...

Why do we wait, anticipate?

Because we have the promise to become God's children, be free from death and decay and receive God's glory.

 How?

Through being saved.  Paul is writing to Christians.  A Christian is someone who believes in God, believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Jesus having died on a cross to free us of our sins and offer us eternal life), and Holy Spirit, who teaches us, comforts us, helps us pray, empowers us to go forth.  A Christian is not someone who just says a prayer and forgets about it and goes on with their life.  A Christian is someone who is constant and consistent, obeying the Trinity:  God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  You can only obey if you know what is expected of you.  You do this through getting to know the desires of the hearts and wills of the persons in the Trinity...God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  

How can we achieve this? 

By reading the word of God as documented in the Bible and through talking with them and hearing from them.  This is called prayer.

Why is this important?

Fundamentally, we won't die.  Our bodies will be put in the ground or burned to ashes, but we will live on in heaven.  It's also paramount to survive life and not come under the reign, direction of, or live the life of and with Satan.  Just as God has angels, Satan, the devil, has adversaries.  And Satan is the one who causes us to sin, and have a sinful nature, which keeps us from the glories of God, eternal life and forgiveness of sins.  For if we are with God, we are not of Satan, and, if we are of Satan, we are not with God.  You cannot be hot and cold at the same time.  If you are on the fence, get off the fence to enjoy God's glories and pray the prayer provided above, or one from your heart, asking God to forgive you of your sins and help you.  And then don't forget to thank him.  If you believe in your heart, so shall it be.  

Having trouble praying?

Read verses Romans 8:26-27 again.  "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress.  For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.  But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  And the Father (God) who knows all hearts knows what the Sprit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmoney with God's own will."

Believe...Give voice, have faith, believe!

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  For God knew his people in advance and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be ther firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.  And having chosen them, he called them to come to him.  And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory."  Romans 8:28-30 NLT. 

Psalm 42:1 and 11b

"As the deer pants for water, I thirst for you, O God.  I thirst for God, the living God...I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!"

***

Psalm 145 NLT

"I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.

I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever.

Great is the Lord!  He is most worthy of praise!

His greatness is beyond discovery!

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.

I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.

Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;

I will proclaim your greatness.

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;

they will sing with joy of your righteousness.

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.

The Lord is good to everyone. 

He showers compassion on all his creation.

All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will bless you.

They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom;

they will celebrate examples of your power.

They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

You rule generation after generation.

The Lord is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does.

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.

All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it.

When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. 

The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord, and everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever and forever.”

I hope and pray all will bear with me, as I learn to navigate in this website.  There may be errors, delays changes, and duplications, as I learn to perfect myself in and with Him.  And fight Satan!!!

Thank you!