For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
romans chapter 8
Jenny and I are in our seventies. we've been married for 52 years. we have four children and two grandchildren--with a third coming soon.
Jenny and I are in our seventies. we've been married for 52 years. we have four children and two grandchildren--with a third coming soon.
we grew up around the corner from each other--literally--even though we didn't meet until my senior year in high school--sledding--my family lived at the top of a BIG hill.
Jenny has a brother who is six years older than her. I am #2 in my family. I have four sisters and a brother.
Jenny sang in the choir at a nondenominational Christian church where her family went. Our family went to catholic church and us kids went to catholic schools.
even though she had four daughters of her own, my mom and Jenny became very close. Jenny helped Mom when she was dying with cancer in ways that only she could.
Jenny's mom was an inspiration for me for nearly 60 years--her strong faith and her "overflowing cup" attitude.
My mom loved to watch Reverend Billy Graham on TV. Jenny's mom loved to watch Bishop Fulton Sheen. they are great moms in the family we call Christians.
Enchufla Con Clave [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
faith
hope
love
love
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