Lessons I took from Romans 9-11

God is in control, and we are not!

We must bring the gospel to all people because we do not know who is hardened and who will be shown mercy.

As creation we have no right to talk back to the Creator.

I am a child of God not because of anything in me but by faith given out of mercy and compassion shown to me because of my disobedience.

If we are saved, faith must fill our hearts and mouths as we submit to God’s righteousness. Self-righteousness has no place in believers’ lives.

God uses His people to make His word known.

People do not have to seek God to find Him; He makes Himself known.

God will always reserve a remnant for Himself by His grace.

We should never have pride in our status with God. We have no right to be called sons of God. It is an undeserved gift. He owes us nothing. God is to be feared.

We will never fully understand God, His knowledge, wisdom, judgment, paths, His mind. We should forever praise Him for His glory that is unfathomable.

In Christ Jesus

Condemnation, no, not here for us.
We’re in Christ Jesus, bought by His blood.
The law couldn’t save us for our nature’s to sin,
But Jesus took the punishment meant for us men.
Now let’s live by the Spirit, in darkness no more.
Our old way is death; now there’s life evermore.
We have peace submitting our lives to the Lord.
No longer hostile to God, no longer self at the core.
Christ’s righteousness has made us alive.
If the Spirit’s in us, we can be called a child.
The Spirit kills the wickedness once within us
That we might walk without fear, looking to God above.
We cry, “Daddy,” to Him who made us his heirs
As we share in his suffering before glory to share.
The glory so great, we have hope as we wait.
We groan as we eagerly look to that day
When there’s no decay, no darkness around.
We’ll be adopted, to this world no more bound.
As we wait, we do know for He’s made it clear
That He’ll work it all out so we need not fear.
All things work for good to those who love God.
For his purpose he’s called us in His way to walk.
He already knows; for He writes His own plans.
We’re His to be made like clay in Has hands.
So we know, yes we know, that He is for us.
And nothing, no nothing, can take away His great love.
More than conquerors is what we have been named.
For it’s in Christ Jesus our Lord we’ve been saved.

~reflection on Romans 8

Thank You Mom

Thank you Mom, for your help
With pregnancies and births,
For the one born into heaven
And the three born here on earth.

Thanks for holding me inside
And rearing me with love
Thank you for your faith,
Relying on God above.

It means so much to have you,
To know that you are there,
You’re one to bring my questions to,
You’re one I know who cares.

Bringing children into the world
Is such a priceless joy.
I’m glad you were there with me
For me, my girl, and my boys.

You helped me see the beauty.
You helped relieve my fears.
You were the woman by my side.
It helped to have you near.

You helped me keep on going.
You helped relieve the pain.
You helped me know it’d be okay
Which ever way they came.

Each time around was different,
But you were always there.
For happiness and sorrow,
You held me with your prayers.

With Luke, you saw me through it
Long labor and finally birth.
It was not like we planned it,
But from it much was learned.

With Hope, we saw much sorrow
No little child was born,
But a grandchild still was honored
And you helped a mother mourn.

With Lydia, our faith was tested.
A million prayers were prayed.
Her birth was truly wonderful,
So much joy on every face.

With Timothy, we tried again
To have that natural birth,
And with your help we did it.
Thank you for that gift.

So thank you, Mom for your work,
The tears you cried, the prayers you prayed.
The sleep you lost, the knowledge you gained,
Oh, thank you for the memories we made.

I love you so much, and I will be forever grateful that God made me your daughter and you my mother.
Love, Emily

Ten Years

Thank you for asking the question.
Thank you for wanting a yes.
Thank you for taking me as yours
Ten years ago when we wed.

It was a decision I’ll never regret,
A decision ordained before time,
We made that decision together
For me to be yours and you mine.

I thank God that you are my husband.
I thank Him for our precious three.
Praise God that He is here with us
To lead us and our family.

You’re a wonderful husband and father.
I know I am safe by your side.
I feel blessed to share my life with you.
I’m honored to be called your wife.

I love the life I live with you.
I’m happy to mother your kids,
To see each one just adore you
The way that I always will.

It’s hard to put into words
The love I feel that’s inside.
I want you to know how I love you,
How I’m forever yours for all time.

~Happy tenth anniversary my dearest Tony.
Love and love and love,
Emily

Time to Praise

All around I see His name.
Christmas time has come again.
Oh let us see that it is time,
Time to praise His name.
Let us praise Him now today,
But let’s not stop next month.
He is the Lord; He is our God
Twelve months of every year.
Oh He has blessed my family,
Another He has added.
Oh praise the Lord for He is good
In everything He does.
He is creator; He is the maker
Of all the gifts we hold.
Praise God today for children.
Praise Him for family close.
Praise Him for all the friendships,
For brothers in the faith.
He is God of our salvation.
He is the grantor of our faith.
He gives His holy Word to us
To grow and know His name.
Praise God today for life.
Praise Him who gives us breathe.
Praise Him for second birth,
For saving us from death.
He is God that sent His son.
He paid the price He did not owe.
He gave it all that we might live.
Now let us live for Him.
This Christmas may we look to Him
In reverence and in fear.
May we know He holds our very lives.
May we praise Him for His gifts.

May God’s blessings be evident all around you,
and let us praise Him today and always.