Romans 8:14-17 ~ led by the Spirit of God

Romans 8:14-17


English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons [Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture] of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 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.

Summer and Christmas have something in common. Items put away are taken up with zest - that we might enter into the season with abundant living. Boats come out of storage. Gardening tools, watering hoses, sprays, pots and new dirt are carted back and forth. RVs are scraped for cleaning and mildew. People pack up for vacations and get away. Kids go to camp or lessons like tennis. We all have several somethings summer brings to us.

Then comes heat. And breakage. And the need for replacement. Added to our busy lives. And a hundred details that we might be well, pampered, cared for. In Texas, we aren't having a tornado. We are having the worst drought since 1895.

I could take time and complain about my Friday. Oh. Yes. I could. And it would be things anyone would understand because one way or another we all have days like that. Breakage. Waiting. Dealing with people with other plans. Heat. Suppressing grumpiness. Being grumpy. Wondering about the solution. Trying to reach a decision. Self-pity.

Norman Vincent Peale had a young man come up to him after one of his talks and put forth many, many difficulties with worry and pessimism. Norman said he was distressed just listening to the young man. Finally, Norman felt like the young man wasn't going to conquer his problems because his attitude was a problem. Norman finally blurted out, "You have these problems because you are alive! Be grateful!"

Amen. And Amen. Let me spend some time preaching and teaching to myself. You can come with me. We can put ourselves out by refusing to see the gratitude we need to have. One. We Are Alive in Jesus Christ. Eternally. Today. Two. Seasons change. I can use the season to find reasons to be grateful. Three....

Romans 8:22-27
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved.

Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 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. 27 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.

Adopted!. I am a child of God. The Spirit intercedes for me.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven

And Gratitude sweetens every season.

Romans 8:31-39
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.

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