I was reading Romans last night and came upon these verses that really stuck out to me. I feel the need to share them with everyone.

Chap. 8
[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

This passage has so much meaning, but what I would like to say with it is that the word "groaning" really stuck out to me. It's really important to let the Holy Spirit take over for us. It reminded me of a verse that stuck out to me before...but I wasn't really sure I understood what it meant.

John 11
"32": Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

"33": When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

"34": And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

"35": Jesus wept.

"36": Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

"37": And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

"38": Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

It really stood out to me that Jesus' Spirit groaned and he really wept for this family. I had asked my grandpa what he thought it meant, and he said well he was really close to them and they were his friends which is why he was so sad. But I still felt in my mind that the Holy Spirit was groaning, because soon after this miracle Jesus would soon be crucified. I think that the moment His spirit groaned, that he knew the time was near.

The other verses that stood out from Romans:

Chap. 12
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
[18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is the way we should behave as Christians. It's so important to remember, but we all fall short of it, especially me at times. But it's so nice to know, we have a loving and forgiving God. We all have different gifts, but what use are they if they can't be shared? Or we can't teach one another, or interpret one another? They are no good then, if we can't be united as one. It's amazing the way God works...the way that He only gives each of us certain gifts, so that WE MUST LOVE one another, to be able to unite as one. Which brings me to the next verse:

Chap. 13
[8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
[9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

It's so simple...Love. If we learn to just love everyone, then we can't sin or break the commandments. If we love...then we won't murder, steal or hurt anyone...because with love you can't commit these things. So if there is ever one thing we should begin to work on...it is love.

Finally going back to Chap. 8:
[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
[33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul reminds us all here...no matter what happens here on earth, nothing can seperate us from the love of God. We must never forget this.

Yours in Christ,
Stephanie