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Romans 8:28-30

Seeing the future

When my first son was born I had no real idea how he would turn out. Now he is sixteen, works at Dominos and enjoys being an Air Cadet. His dream is to become a pilot in the Air Force. It’s hard to imagine my son flying a fighter jet but that doesn’t mean he won’t get there.

We can’t see into the future very well, our imagination is so often clouded by the press of responsibilities, frustrations, hurts and challenges that need to be faced now, today let alone tomorrow. But God is not limited by time. All of time is as one to him, he operates outside of time and so he can see us in the past, the present and the future.

Before he even made us he loved us who have faith in Jesus Christ. And he uses every event in history, the present and the future for our ultimate good. The purpose behind what happens is that God is transforming us into the likeness of his Son.

God’s knows the way, he knows the future and he is the one who will bring it all about according to his will. From my perspective life is hard to control, random, dangerous, and difficult. I often try and achieve, gain and win for myself that which I think will give me safety, comfort, success and a good future. But in reality I have no idea because I can’t see the future. For example owning a house is never going to be as secure as trusting God. And yet so much of my effort goes into worrying about not having a home.

God would have me concentrate more effort growing in my character than my bank balance. Tough times are opportunities to grow in the fruit of God’s Spirit. My encouragement is to trust God especially during bad times because he has no trouble seeing into the future.  the Rev

Romans 8:28-30 Live the Gospel = Walk in the Spirit

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

Exercises

• Share a time when you were able to recognise God’s grace in your life v28?

• Discuss what it means to be conformed to Christ’s image, give personal e.g. v29?

• What assurance do you have of being conformed to Christ’s image v30?

• How has this passage encouraged you to love God and love people?

Prayer: Heavenly Father there are many times when I become afraid, worried and frustrated with circumstances and people in my life. It makes me feel like my life is out of control. Forgive me for losing sight of you. Teach me to remember that you have a plan to redeem me and the whole world, that you loved me before creation was made. Thank you that you are sovereign and that you are using all things that happen for my ultimate good. Amen