And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the

called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover, whom he predestined, these he also called, whom he called

these he also justified, and whom he justified these he also glorified.

I would like you to imagine with me a young man at Bethlehem who falls in love with the

young woman at Bethlehem and she doesn't even know he's alive as far as he can tell and

so he undertakes a plan to try to first of all get her attention and then hopefully her affection and Lord willing her commitment in marriage because he's sold on this young woman. And so he

carries out his plan by finding out what small group she's in and making sure he gets

in that same small group. He learns when her

birthday is, finds out her tastes, some of their common friends, what she

especially wants and then he rents a room in a restaurant, plans for her friends to be there,

arranges for her roommate, to bring her there, buys her that special gift,

and she comes.

And they have a great time.

Everybody loves the party.

She loves the party.

The gifts are all great.

She thanks everybody all around when it's over,

and she goes home.

And she never even asks who planned this party.

And all the gifts and food and fun just completely overshadow the planning and the

creativity and the affection that went into it. Well that's the way we are if we love Romans 828 and don't pay any

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