I'm Groaning

 The Scripture:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 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. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:22-26  ESV

Reflection:

Is it just me? Is it just my age? Or is anyone else groaning?  What about creation?

The answer is yes to all of the above questions. There is a lot of groaning - Scripture says that all creation is groaning.  We groan in our physical bodies and long to be "swallowed up" in immorality.

There is a heaviness in the air. Real opposition.

It is the world, the flesh, and the devil (in collusion) bringing depression and hopelessness to the inhabitants of the earth. The heaviness that the enemy of our soul brings is to keep us from completing the assignment God has given to his children to accomplish. 

The Apostle Paul wrote; "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

Whatever else predestination means - it means God has a people. A people being conformed to the image of Jesus and doing good works. 

Our assignment is to bring the values and ethics of Jesus to those around us. I have failed at this often.

Only spiritually transformed people (not perfect) can advance God's agenda on earth.

Transformation only comes to those who have the joy of the LORD through fellowship with the Father and the Son.

God wants to be known, loved, and valued. While He is not lonely he desires our company. Our time with Him in prayer empowers us to live a life pleasing to him and beneficial to those around us.

He reveals himself to those who humble themselves and acknowledge their spiritual poverty. Only through God's Word and Presence can this transformation take place. 

It's still possible to seek Him. As long as we have breath - it's not too late. 

Salvation is in Jesus alone. (John 14:6) Our hope is in Jesus the King who will return to set up his Kingdom and restore the earth to its original purpose. 

All things will be summed up in Christ - the maker of Heaven and Earth.

Scripture To Meditate On:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3 NIV

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." - Romans 8:29 ESV

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?” - 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV

" For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." -  Colossians 1:16-18 ESV

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea." - Revelation 21:1 ESV

The Fire Of God's Love: The End Times

 

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” – (2 Peter 3:10 ESV)

The fire of God’s love will one day burn up all the impurity on earth in a moment. Jesus’ return to the earth will be much more spectacular than some second-rate Christian movie. There is a debate between believers on how and when Jesus’ visible return to the earth will happen. God will ultimately bring into existence a New Heaven and a New Earth. That fact is non-debatable among orthodox Christians. It’s important to remember that all of God’s present and future judgments are justified. God’s motives are pure and holy as “Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.” – (Psalm 97:6-9) We can be confident that; He will ultimately remove all evil from the earth.

While world leaders and their economic, military, and political unions seek to eradicate all signs of Christian influence in the west, we must remember that God will have the final say on the matter. We live in a spiritually dark culture filled with moral pollution with no end to the madness in sight. The Apostle Paul describes our spiritual condition in Romans chapter one. We are as those that “…worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator…(Romans 1:25.) This is self-worship which is idolatry, and much of the western world has been given over to a “debased mind” as we allow our sin to rule us and not God. ( See Romans chapter 1)

The Scripture is clear that: “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) In reality, there are only two Kingdoms – God’s and Satan’s. We are either members of the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Darkness. As the days grow darker in the western world, followers of Jesus must “count the cost” of being rejected and persecuted for the sake of truth. Those of us who name the name of Christ must learn to stand for righteousness without being mean-spirited or obnoxious. Our calling is to share and live out the Gospel. Our job in this world is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is calling those who are his to total allegiance. He said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”(John 8:32.) And, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6)