Paul who suffered more than any other apostle wrote Rom. 8:18-21: “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. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Why do good things happen to bad people?

In 2017, I have been reciting this verse from Romans 8:“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.”Two years ago when my mother was diagnosed with a sarcoma on the inner thigh, I memorized Psalm 103 and declared that for her healing. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and ALL that is within me, bless His holy name!

Redeems my life, renews my youth, crowns me, and heals all my diseases.” Now, that’s a paraphrase because I want to move to this year’s chapter and focus on Romans chapter eight.My mother had about six months of feeling like her old self again and then the cancer returned last fall. She had surgery in early January at the WONDERFUL Hershey Medical Center.

We are told she has little time on this side of the veil. We had all hoped for more time, more memories shared, more great grandbabies for her to hold and nurture. My sisters and I are honored to care for her and yet, frankly, this is hard. My grief was compounded when one of my own daughters discovered a lump in her breast. My mother and daughter?I find great strength in memorizing the Word of God. I don’t share this with you today with pride or to make you feel intimidated or anything close to that. I just NEED to quote scripture right now. My soul is anchored there.David once wrote, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” I am walking in a very dark valley and I sense the Lord’s presence beside me here.

The only flashlight available is His Word and I treasure it, charge its batteries, and shine it (quote it) when I cannot see my hand in front of my face.My mom is quite coherent and she’s happily helping me to memorize Romans chapter eight. The other night I helped her climb into bed and arrange her phones and medications within her reach. I bent down and kissed her forehead, then stood to my feet in that dark room and said:Mom, consider this. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.”“I know,” she replied. “I know.”Dear one, the veil is thin between here and there, and the glory that will be revealed will make these days seem so small in comparison.

Whatever your trial this week, this month, or even this moment, please know that God is watching and walking with you. The valley is indeed dark, but the light of the glory of the face of God is just ahead–and that glory will be revealed in a NEW, immortal, pain-free, joy-filled body. Look–it’s just ahead. About Lift the Cross of Jesus!My day job is writing-I'm an author and publisher of a number of books. More on that later.

But there is nothing of greater importance to me than the early morning hours I spend with the Creator of the Universe. Although He knows everything there is to know, His greatest delight isn't to give us knowledge, but to give us love.My highest joy is to watch the sun rise with notebook in hand and write the words he speaks to my heart. I want to share some of those words with you here. Words on the cross. BillieJo, this is the perfect comparison. Philippians 3:10 says, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death that I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.” Then I LOVE Romans 8 which says, “If that SAME SPIRIT that RAISED CHRIST JESUS from the dead dwells in you, HE will quicken (bring to life) your mortal body, by that same Spirit that dwells in you.” And so we do see that the sufferings of this present time will birth the glory yet to be revealed when we pass through heaven’s gate.

Deep thoughts, I know, but this valley is pretty deep. There are treasures down here I didn’t see on the mountain top. God is GOOD!Like. Hi Hope, Sorry to hear of the sad news, but there is glorious news awaiting your mom. We remember your sister, as we believe the best way to depart from this earth is the Lord taking the breath from out of our body without painful deceases. We haven’t all arrived at that state yet, we believe in divine healing, but the next step is to believe for divine health. No condemnation if we haven’t reached that goal yet.

Something to press towards. Part of our inheritance? I have written a short article, “The Mystery of the Cross.” which I will put out on my face-book at Easter. I would love to send you a copy that you can use it, or do whatever you feel would be appropriate.

Blessings, DavidLike. Brother Bill, thank you for sharing in this with us. God has been so good to me and He is revealing much to me in the many treasures lying about in the dark valley of death and dying. It is difficult to explain, but I do hope to share more–sort of blog in the darkness, as funny as that sounds. Today I memorized the verse on “hope” from Romans 8. “For we are saved by hope. But hope that is SEEN is not hope.

Why does one say he hopes for what he can see (right in front of his natural eye)? A virtual horse ranch house. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with perseverance.” Hope is one of those riches–no pun intended here with my name and this lesson on hope. Long answer to your great input.

Romans 8:18 ContextFor ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Wesley's Notes for Romans 8:188:18 For I reckon - This verse gives the reason why he but now mentioned sufferings and glory.

When that glory shall be revealed in us, then the sons of God will be revealed also.People's Bible Notes for Romans 8:18Ro 8:18 The sufferings of this present time. The Christian of our time has little conception of the sufferings of the ancient saints, counted as outcasts, despised, persecuted, slain. See Ro 8:36 2Co 11:23-28. Yet Paul counted these as nothing in view of the hope of eternal glory.

The glory which shall be revealed in us. In the saints when they shall have received the inheritance which God bestows in Christ. The comforts of the saint in the midst of suffering are now given: (1) The hope of glory for which all creation, ruined by the Fall, is looking. (2) The present help of the Spirit. (3) The overruling providence of God.