GLAD AND GROANING

MISSION TRIP TO PHILIPPINES: I am leaving early Friday morning. The Canadian Government travel advisory says to avoid all travel to Mindanao <https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/philippines> so please pray for our safety and the safety of the Pastors traveling to the teaching site. You can see other prayers by clicking the tab above. "Finally, brothers pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith." 2 Thessalonians 3.1-2

I find two responses to God the creator from the heavens and the earth.

"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness."

Psalm 96.11-13

 We also find the heavens and the earth groaning, "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now." (Romans 8.22)

What we find in creations gladness and groaning is paralleled in our own experience before God. Hopefully we express more gladness than groaning as we grow in our relationship with God but the reality is we do have something to groan about. "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8.23)

Our complete redemption is as certain as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we groan for completion in our salvation in Christ let us also like Creation rejoice and be glad that God is coming to bring our full redemption and to judge the world in righteousness.
 
Good articles this week:
TheStory of Iran’s Church in Two Sentences

On Bishop Curry who preached at Royal Wedding. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marie-alfordharkey/in-the-name-of-walking-to_b_8993104.html

WORK NOT WASTED

MISSION TRIP TO PHILIPPINES: This week I will be preparing two short sermons to be delivered during the opening sessions we have each morning with all the Pastors before we begin class. The aim is to demonstrate to the Pastors how the hermeneutical and homiletical principles we are teaching them work to form a sermon. I have as my texts 2 Timothy 4.9-13 and 4.19-22.

I have been reading about the rebuilding of the Temple after the return of the exiles to Jerusalem. This Temple, like Solomon's Temple would eventually be destroyed and no longer stands today. But what about all those many dedicated hours given by God's people to rebuild that second Temple? What about all the material goods provided by the faithful? Were those hours of faithful service to God wasted? All those materials provided for nothing? Did those men and women waste their lives for something that no longer exists, that can no longer be pointed to as the work of their hands in worship to God?
What about us? What about our sincere and prayerful service, the hours of strain, the faithful commitment to God's service, the donations, to those ministries that no longer exist, for those people who have not come to know Christ? Are those just wasted efforts? Does only what lasts to the end count before God?

Let me make a couple of comments on this. 1) God knows and remembers all the service that has been done in worship to Him and will reward that service, even if nothing or no-one is left to show for it. 2) All efforts done in the Holy Spirit, in obedience to God, whether seen by men or not, whether remaining or not, play a part in God's purpose and plan for the ages to come and for the kingdom of God. And so our work is done unto the Lord, for God's purposes and for God's Glory, and for that reason count before God.
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15.58
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’" Matthew 25.21


Good articles this week:

Democratic Republic of the Congo

An internal political crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo left thousands dead, created tens of thousands of refugees, and left about 1.5 million people displaced. Catholic priests and other Christians have been either murdered or detained by police for participating in protests against the country’s president.

“The church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been a long, outspoken proponent of democracy and freedom, historically serving as a moral voice against the corrupt consolidation of power,” says Harris.

“It will be imperative that the United States closely follow, and continue to exert pressure on, the impending presidential elections to be held in December,” he added. “Integral to the overall hope and vision of a free and flourishing Democratic Republic of the Congo is a peaceful, democratic transfer of power.”

Suicide bombers hit Indonesian churches; 11 dead, 41 hurt

Defending Liberty (How freedom of religion is being eroded by the entrenchment of sexual freedom)