To derive the fullest comfort and encouragement from Romans 8:28 we must realize that God is at work in a proactive, not reactive, fashion. That is, God does not just respond to an adversity in our lives to make the best of a bad situation. He knows before He initiates or permits the adversity exactly how He will use it for our good.

The level of our obedience is most often determined by the behavior standard of other Christians around us.

As we become soft and lazy in our bodies, we tend to become soft and lazy spiritually.

Patience is the ability to suffer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing resentful or bitter.

Faith in Christ and a reliance on ourselves, even to the smallest degree, are mutually exclusive.

That which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God. Our suffering has meaning and purpose in God's eternal plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good.

Sin is wrong, not because of what it does to me, or my spouse, or child, or neighbor, but because it is an act of rebellion against the infinitely holy and majestic God.