Tuesday, May 22, 2018

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

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