Romans 8:29-30 (MSG), Romans 8:31-36 (NIV)

Romans 8:29-30 (MSG)
29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
30 After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

These verses were covered earlier, but I thought it would be good to read them in The Message. I like how verse 29 reads when he says, "to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." For the follower of Christ the issue is that of becoming like Christ. God is using everything to help us to become like His Son. We are being shaped into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This process goes better when we are on board with that goal of what God wants to do in our life. We must be careful not to tell God how He could do a better job if He did it this way or that way--you know the backseat driver syndrome. We must trust Him in this process of becoming like Christ.

Romans 8:31-36 (NIV)
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

When I read verses like these my response is, "What a great God we serve!" The Lord gave us His Son. Will He not graciously give us all things? Yes! God will give us all things, because the greatest gift has already been given. We are set for eternity, not just in this life. This would be a good day to lift up the name of Christ, to praise Him in all things. Amen.