Geoffrey's Notebook

Predestined according to Foreknowledge (*Note: These quick notes on Romans 8:18-30 were for content helps for a youth meeting on that section when I wasn't going to be leading. This was not for a message, but just to gain the structure and concepts so you don't get lost in the weeds while reading and meditating on this glorious passage.)  ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:18-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/59/rom. 8.18-30.esv ... for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined  to be conformed to the image of his Son,  in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called,  and those whom he called he also justified,  and those whom he justified he also glorified. His purpose = to be conformed to the image of His Son Order of events: God has a purpose which is to conform us to the image of His Son. God foreknew people and their decisions before they were created God predestined those He forekne

  So glad for this verse today:    as newborn babes  desire earnestly  [crave] the pure mental milk of the word, that by it ye may grow up to salvation  - 1 Peter 2:2 Try reading 10 chapters by the  choice  of craving and then read some more by the reactive desire of it.  How often are my 5 or 10 second moments spent checking some other happiness than Christ? In 5 seconds I can check notifications or I can chew on my manna for the day. In 10 seconds I can check for new emails or rehearse that verse I've been trying to memorize. I can spend just 5 minutes listening to the news or I can spend it finishing a daily Bible reading portion.  Mother's milk is the best thing for the newborn baby. The milk of the word is the best source of joy all through the day. "crave ... the word ... if indeed ye have tasted that the Lord is good."

Kingdom Talks Update (May 2021):  I'm working on a series of short 10-minute videos called "Kingdom Talks" that goes through the basics with the principle of Gift vs. Reward and applies it to many current and end-time events. Send me a note if you'd like to see some of the videos while they're in the current rough-cut stage.