Romans 8:11-25 ~ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God

Romans 8:11-25

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.

If

Patience.


The first part of this passage is a question. The lasting word is Patience. We had a friend we always admired in High School and in College. We all looked to Matt. One day, one of us said, "Matt is like the Father in My 3 Sons." And it brought me to being misty - this was very true. Matt taught me an important lesson in High School: Matt began to pray for Patience. And frankly, Matt taught me in this year not to pray for Patience. Father God must have smiled, because suddenly in High School and the season lasted to his freshman year in College - Father God gave Matt the opportunity for the Patience Solution.

You know, Galatians 5, includes all of the positive of the Fruit of the Spirit - filling us with the fullness of God. And the signs of deep need for God's Nurture and Love.

So I told Matt (who became a Priest all his life) about what I thought about Patience. Matt expressed a reluctant understanding of what I was saying.

Patience.
Why ask for your car to break down and have to run 40 miles to your spouse in the Emergency Room? Why ask to climb 80 floors to work to make a meeting on time? Why ask to run Iron Man and train for two weeks? Now, what is the point? Patience is Life. You shouldn't take all of your problems and make them into a pineapple and eat them in one bite. Futility. When we really stress ourselves we are taking on too much. Things not in our control.

What would we pray for if not Patience?
Steadfast Love, the Joy Jesus said Life is. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Peace - to believe God is in Charge.

And then we generate - Kindness. Really being even polite. Polite is the first step of kindness.

When we find Love, Joy and Peace we are going to find patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love covers a multitude of sins. God carries the universe with His Word. We cannot manage all things - even knowing what we could manage could fry us. Let the burdens of today be the concerns of the day. The Lord's Prayer is astonishing. Our Father 'in Heaven' - why does Jesus identify the Trinity of God as 'in Heaven'? Because Jesus is reminding us God is "Abba" Daddy. Like (we hope) our own earthly fathers. Joseph was taken to Father God before Jesus risked His earthly neck every day and was taunted by the people who could have supported him. Father God returned good Joseph to Himself - to not make Jesus' ministry beyond Joseph's endurance of - - - patience. One Father to the trusted father. God is good all the time.

Creation waits in eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

This remarkably memorable verse of the Scriptures - is very unusual and thought-provoking Scripture saying God knows His Plan and the Fulfillment thereof. Once again, the beauty of His Word conveys His Heart better than any narration.

Creation waits in eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

What did the Skies look like everywhere as Jesus found our lives here on earth Joy?

The Prodigal Son - the Verses I believe explain Life. God is the Author of Life. All things are created through God. Romans 8:11-25 explains another part of God's Word - who has been God's counselor and who has known the mind of God. Life is stressful and is subject to futility. Gratitude in our lives re-directed helps us to remain in God Himself. The Spirit of God searches to find the good in us and we coax ourselves to follow God Himself in our lives, minutes and moods. God is our foundation to stand upon. Jesus said He is our Rock and we Rise knowing He helps us stand firm.

We are often fathomless to explain the Mercy and Plan of God. The Favor of God's Mercy is Living Water. Flowing where the Will of the Holy Spirit fills the Purpose of God Himself. Nourishing. Soaking in ever minute particle. Flowing Living Water to redeem and replenish and restore. Life - God's own Plan. God of Love.

We will not know the Plan of God - intimately - until we walk with God in His Kingdom. Where we are all invited and will remain as Jesus will reveal. God would save the world in Jesus Christ. Why would we want to cut God's Love off? Why would we Limit Father God. His Storehouses of Love do not have an end. Why would we not Love Father God who has Loves so Lavish.


Abba, Father God,

Thank You for my blessings. Speak honestly. Be polite and kind. Speak honestly. Be a Blessings finder.

Think upon Your amazing capacity. Your Promises. Jesus You gave us.

Speak honestly. Be renewed in the Holy Spirit daily. Put aside what isn't uplifting. Speak honestly.

Realize anew - You are God of Your Word upholds the Universe. When I earnestly try to please You, You are Pleased. Very Pleased. You are God the Father, living us now, who would run to us coming Home. We will arrive at Your Home.

May the Blessings of God dawn in my mind, body, heart and soul again. May my thoughts and words be pleasing to You, my Rock and my Redeemer. God of Love. God of Encouragement. God our Father, we want to please.

May Your Great Love hold on to those I love. Bless, uplift and enfold us in You. There we Live.

Bless our thoughts and cares to Your Word and Your Creation - the Universe. You are God the Almighty, and in You, we know our Nation Trusting in You will be blessed.

The Light of the World shine and bless the Nations trusting in You.

Your Light in all of mankind asking their Loving Father for more Heaven on earth, with hope because Jesus gave us Your Words. Your Love. Your Exact Natue.

And we look forward every day to living in Your Word, Love and Promises.

Jesus is GOD. Thank You for Your Son. Amen and Amen.

a

Capernaum, Jesus chose His ministry to begin here and to live here.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Psalm 19 ~ Rejoicing the heart

Psalm 19

The heavens are telling the glory of God, 

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 

Day to day pours forth speech, 

and night to night declares knowledge. 

There is no speech, nor are there words; 

their voice is not heard, 
yet their voice goes out through all the earth, 

and their words to the end of the world. 

In them, he has set a tent for the sun, 

which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, 

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 

and its circuit to the end of them; and there is nothing hid from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul 

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart

The commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can discern his errors?

Clear thou me from hidden faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing and acceptable in your sight

my rock and my redeemer.

Abba, our Holy Father,

Your Blessings renew and flow. Thank You.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Let us live more Heaven on earth.

For ourselves, our Loved ones, this nation. God's Abundant Grace covering all the Nations trusting in Him. Father God's Mercy blessing all His Children asking more Heaven on earth.

The Beautiful Plan of God enfold us. Encourage us. Redeem us. Let us see Your plan in our every day. Thank You for Jesus Christ.

Jesus is God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Luke 17:37 Gathered Together +

Today was a unique day. 10 years ago, Friday, my son was a sophomore in college who had decided to adopt a Siberian Husky from the local shelter. Today, we woke to find a Bald Eagle, for the first time, across the lake from us.. Five of us gathered together to peer out the windows, cheer and text neighbors to see the Eagle. The morning was suddenly charged with excitement. For a few minutes.

Until we realized, by remembering, our sweet dog Jackson had a 10:30 appointment with the Veterinarian to be put to Eternal Sleep. And it was Friday of Spring Break.

Luke 17:37

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? 

And he said unto them, Where the body is (saints are), there will the eagles be gathered together.


I started praying for Jackson about 2012 when we saw the first signs of old age. Jackson was having hip trouble, sitting was difficult. Life became standing and lying down. And I asked our Father God to let us have the 4 years of his youth back. Jackson had arrived at our house from the shelter wearing a rusted out collar, no knowledge of dog toys, no knowledge of dog treats, no idea of inside or housebroken and terrified of stairs.

Jackson was stunningly beautiful, energetic like a mountain lion, smart, mouthy, brilliantly happy. He was and is a magnificent creation of Father God.

Did the prayer ultimately work?


Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.


Father God would reply yes, His Plan was achieved. Jackson did very well for most of his life. But Jackson obtained Heaven at age 14.

Psalm 50:10-11
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

Today Jackson has his new Heavenly body. He runs, he leaps, he can feel his back legs and not drag the left leg. He has met Merit again. His longtime friend, our Springer Spaniel who lived to be 14.2 years old after miraculous remission from terribly terminal skin cancer.

Merit spent many fine hours teaching Jackson the cat, Scoop, was a friend. Jackson used to sit at Merit's elbow and nudge him and wag his head at the cat. Merit ignored him with dignity and sat next to the cat.

Merit, Scoop and Jackson lived quite kindly together.

What does God's Word have to say?

2 Kings 2:
11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!"

Isaiah 11:6-7
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The Word of God is analogy. The Word of God is literal. The Word of God is Hope, Faith and Love.


Daniel 12:1-3
 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

The Book of Life

Revelation 4:6-8

6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, 

The fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

One day we will all see Heaven, the sights and sounds of the Glory of Jesus. As Jackson does today.



Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. (Jesus+
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the
Kingdom,
Poer and Glory.

Amen. In Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Psalm 91 ~ The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”



Today we had Psalm 91, again.
 From time to time the reading repeats. I do not find this as a flaw, instead, I see this as a time to reflect again. Read the verses and let them flower and grow within me.




New believers have in the Word of God, the Bible was written by the people who did not seemingly triumph or live well. Didn't the wicked and evil men - triumph. Really?

 Score Card

History proves the agenda of men passed on and the Will of God Goes Forth.

Monuments today for the political leaders doing the regular leading thing?
Few sculptures of the scoffers. Less interest in their tombs.  Can you picture the government people leading the world?

See Paul's Tomb the Vatican excavated his tomb from the 1930s until the 1960s. Amazing.

The steadfastness of Christ and then the others

Pontius Pilate was so erased in History - we had the idea until the 1960s, he did not exist but recent archaeological records proved otherwise.

Who was the famous man Paul spoke to when the unnamed Sadducean  council arrested our PAUL? Well if you look up that man, you find in Acts 23, that is Governor Felix. Which man does history honor?

High priest Ananias? His house was found in ruins, at the sack of Jerusalem in 70 A.D; His existence was doubted, as well, until the Talmud Records were found of the Sadducean Council, for this era of Jesus walking the earth, in Scotland. These record the name of Mary's father. And say they were very concerned about Jesus' miracles and insurrection.

Capernaum. Jesus' adult home town, picked as a land flowing with milk and honey, on the shores of the sea of Galilee, that town survived and thrived - avoiding war until the 13th century. Capernaum.

The Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored.
There was no doubt Roman Emperors always win.

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon.

Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

People you might not have heard of - and the world loved - and -yet- we can't place their face.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage, the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers, there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)

During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy was scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterward in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).

It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians, though it does not necessarily follow that we should accept the elaborate detail of the story as given by Tertullian and later writers 161 - 169

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All those who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

 And Then - History Always Remembers Constantine

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.




(* I compiled "Thee" above information and gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon. ...

Do not grow weary in doing good

Luke the beloved physician, lived to be in his 90s. He stayed with Paul, the only one, until Paul died.

Timothy, Paul's missionary friend he called a son, was the Bishop of Greece and lived well until his 80s.

Lazarus and Mary and Martha are well documented growing to old, old age on the Mediterranean Shores of France. Not too bad. They had Jesus to dinner in appreciation of His friendship and help.

And a lot of our Scripture exists because we had those willing to relocate to India and Africa.

John lived until history records him vibrant in the 2nd Century.

The Lord is faithful

Generations have called upon the name of Jesus Christ and have been saved.

Would the Heavenly Host celebrating Jesus' birth, remind us of the Millenniums of those who have Loved Jesus Christ and been fed for their entire lives. Jesus fed the 5,000 and Jesus fed millenniums of  His Beloved Trusting Jesus Christ.

Governments have attempted, in our lifetimes, to restrict access to the Sciptures and the governments have failed; seeing a rebirth of Biblical interest and Churches.

The Word still generates faith, becoming hope, flowering into love.

We are still in the decade proclaimed to be the largest percentage of Christians on earth.

Romans 10:13
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

Abba, our Abba,

Jesus God, please go with us  Enable. Protect. Give Wisdom. We want to be with Jesus. Because on His Path is going to find our Hope, Joy, Faith, Peace, Love.

Jesus is able to do so much more than we even imagine. Jesus is God who fed thousands with less than a meal. We want to live and move and have our being in Jesus, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God, Who were born of God.

We want to see Jesus Glory. Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. From Jesus' fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

We cover all of our cares and people we love - with the Highest Name - Jesus.

We cover the Nation Trusting in Jesus. We entrust God with the Nations looking to Jesus. And have Your Love enfold us all around the good creation praying more Heaven on earth  

In Christ Jesus the Lord, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †