Romans 8 ~ 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

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.


12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons 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.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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. 

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. 

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

29 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. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 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.




I've known two people recently with Christmas anxieties.

Reasons for stress. Life just is pretty difficult when stress hits us at Christmas. In Houston,
places are not as full as the oil prices have helped the economy in other towns.

A woman I know has joy this month because her Master's degree is finished in Decemeber
and with the graduation is going several states over to visit her family. And her hours she has
worked required for her Master's are significant and substantial - that has finished as well.
And as Christmas gets closer, her husband was laid off. They are young and this is their first hurdle as a real life worry happens. Her worries are valid. And yet, God has absolutely prepared them - they are three fold. God has created an environment where they can be moved exactly where He needs them in their Journey for Him.

Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

God has left a calling card here.




A woman from our Church Bible Study, a Pastorate, had gone to Dubai to visit her two year old grandson and just as she arrived, her daughter- in-law's mother - a 30 hour flight away - needed her daughter - her operation has gone badly and complications have happened. Her daughter-in-law's mother is on life supported artificially. In the middle of Christmas difficulties - God has provided this family with the grandson having 103' fever - only with the most compassionate Grandmother care - as this daughter goes 30 hours immediately to see her mother.

God has left His Calling Card.



The one thing we miss if we are in Christmas stress, is knowing how many people know how to do their lives - even when it is stressful.

A gift God gives us - a very durable gift.


2 Timothy 3

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.


Luke 21:19
Stand firm, and you will win life.

It would be difficult to say all things work for good when the crisis is not yours and even trite.
However these are Christian people. And in the years to come, they will know and tell, decades from
now, how God made circumstance survivable, providing the framework of faith and circumstance - to allow - hope, endurance, Character and Love to go forth in His Good Plan.

The Newest News Story is young people reading Leviticus to people asking for their Qur'an comments. It's an old shock value story. Spiritual matters need eyes of faith, and have to be read with Spiritual Discernment. Or we go the direction of labeling Jews with Stars marked "Jude."

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people

Beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.


Father God, be with the people who are burdened and allow the people having Peace to share their Peace with those in discomfort.

We ask Your infinite delight in Blessing to cover our Loved Ones, the People You have Given us
in Your Goodness. Protect us from harm and hurt we ask You. And help us to see with Joy, the Path You will help us to adhere to. Knowing people pray and You delight and we lift our heavy concerns to You knowing You will carry them. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †