Summer ...

I hope you are all having a very blessed summer.  This summer I participated in a VOM Online Course and also a Sweeter Than Chocolate Online Bible study of Romans 8.  Both kept me pretty busy and both were very informative.  Information and knowledge is a good thing but is most beneficial when you apply Godly principles to your life.  Both of these classes were structured so that we would consider and be encouraged to apply what we learned.  At the moment I am still focused on how Romans 8 begins There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  In the light of this knowledge how shall I live my life?  I am no longer condemned because I am in Christ Jesus...does my life reflect someone who is living in that truth?  If not what needs to change?  One of the things that stood out to me in the VOM Course was that the way we live our life now, how obedient, submissive and faithful we are to God NOW...is a good indicator of how we will respond if we face persecution.  If we are not living for Him NOW it is unlikely that we will stand for Him THEN.  During this time I was also reminded over & over again in a variety of ways that God works all things together for those who love Him, those who are called according to His purpose.  Several times my NOW bible would go on & this is the Scripture that I would hear...it would go on by itself (I still haven't figured out how or why)...this Scripture was also posted by friends and it was of course part of the study on Romans 8.  It seemed no matter where I turned I was faced with this Scripture.  I figure it must be something I need to know, that God wants me to know...& since I am faced with it so many times...there is something I am just not getting.