Great Expectations...

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

The past few days I have slowed down a little in my normal daily routine because either by old age I hurt my back or pulled something during my exercise routine!

Don't you love it when our Savior slows us down? This is what I have been pondering for the last few weeks. As I struggled with what to write about, God brought me back to my study in the book of Romans - just in time to share with you!

God beautifully and perfectly reminds each of us who know Him that all His adopted children suffer in this flesh – but it is temporary and not to be compared to our eternal perfect state!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

Great Expectations is the expectation of us seeing our Savior face to face, at which time we receive our glorified bodies too! Wow! I don't know about ya’ all but I am getting pumped and overly filled with uncontainable joy just pondering these things! I can't wait for all the physical pains and the signs of old age to disappear. I also am anxiously awaiting that day when there will b no more separation between brothers and sisters in Christ!

“But if we hope for what we do not see we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." II Corinthians 4:25

Our journey passing through in this world can get tedious, difficult and sometimes, pretty lonely too. I think of the Apostle Paul when he stated:

"At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them." II Timothy 4:16-17

Our apostle Paul’s life is an example of steadfastness. There is another example too, King David of ancient Israel. All of David’s closest friends abandoned him in his time of need. Above all we have is our Savior Jesus Christ - who also was left alone during the darkest hours leading up to his death on Calvary's tree. We women of God can find much comfort from these examples, even during our own times of disillusionment.

"Yet in All these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

Note: The operative word here is “ALL” – in every situation!

What if you have already reached the point where you just think it is no longer worth it? Our Savior understands this too!

“And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27

God is constantly reminding each of us that our hope is not in this "earthen vessel” but rather, points to our “Great Expectation!”

"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever Amen!" II Timothy 4:18

Recently, our family was faced with some heartache in ministry and a situation that did not make sense to us by human eyes. We knew without a shadow of a doubt though, that we have been called here to our current place of residence. Why would the Lord bring us 800 miles to “nowhere” and then, to proceed to stop us “dead on our tracks?""

“Jehovah is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.” Psalm 145:17

Great Expectations! That is it! Our Savior works in ways we don’t always see or understand – but, He is constantly opening new and awesome avenues we could have never understood or see before hand! That is why we don't lose heart and why we persevere.

Not everyone has a Christian woman’s “Great Expectations though. A very well known Hollywood actress, Playboy model and fitness guru, Susanne Sommers, recently declared her willingness to down 40 pills a day, take physical injections and submit to “going under the knife” in order to maintain her looks. She vows to do these things until she in 100. Sadly, this beautiful woman does not possess the “great expectations” of a Godly woman who possesses beauty inwardly. She could though…

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according the the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

Let’s make sure our mind is set on the truths of God’s eternal promises to all who love Him. For He alone is become our God of “great expectations!”

A song to share: Dc Talk “Heaven Bound”

It is a love from above not of this world Kinda profound, a trump will sound And all God's children are Heaven Bound

God has promised us a home in glory Trust in Him A trump will sound And all God's children are Heaven Bound.

Close and Personal:

1. Do you remember a time in your journey when things did not make sense at the beginning later found out that God had all things under His apt control all along?

2. Where do you find your Great Expectation?

“Dear Heavenly Father I want to thank you today for you being with me during times when no one else was. Thank you for your longsuffering. I also want to thank you Lord again teaching us that you have all things under your control and whether we understand when things happen we know that you allow everything in our lives for our very best! Thank you for loving us that much, my Savior and friend!”

In Him,

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