"Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:17-18

These verses are clear in what they say, but sometimes hard to understand. The grace of God overflows to us as we will receive all that Christ has received, even though our worst suffering would never compare to the depth of suffering that Christ endured on earth. It is also a comfort to know that our loved ones who have passed on are, right now, enjoying that new glorified life. Be encouraged when life does not always go smoothly that we will, one day, be enjoying all that God has prepared for us. Will we ask ourselves, “Why did I ever complain?” when whatever suffering we experience in this life we were asked to endure?

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"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.” Romans 10:2

Paul acknowledged that his fellow Jews had a zeal for God. However, it was not based on truth. So often we also are guilty of having a desire to seek after God and to do what we believe He is calling us to do, however it can be based on some weak foundational teaching. Our expectations of God and the direction He takes us has left many a Christian disappointed and discouraged after years of service, questioning their faith because God, in their view, has let them down. Even the disciples on the way to Emmaus thought he would have redeemed Israel. What are we expecting God to do for us that we feel let down about? May we have a true understanding of the God we follow and what He expects of us by studying His word and listening less to the misguided
views of others.

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"When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbable and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build, because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” Ezra 4:1 – 2

When we seek to do a work for God we need to be wise that we join with those that are genuine in their faith and have no hidden agendas. Words can sound nice, but as we see in this example from Ezra, the enemies of the Israelites hid their true motives and finally managed to achieve their agenda, totally stopping the work on the temple for sixteen years. See what sort of fruit is being produced, not just what words are being presented.

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