ARE YOU GROANING?

Originally posted July 2011, but bears repeating. 

 

From Romans 8:

I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Are you tired, weary, heavy laden, looking, seeking, desiring rest?

Christian, are you tired of this world and growing in hope and desiring for the Lord's return?

Are you groaning?!

I am.

To those who have been of the mindset, that the purpose of the believer in Jesus here on earth, is to fix the earth, sweep it of sin, elect the "right" officials to make a "pure" society for Jesus to usher in His kingdom, I say... How's that been working for you?

This world is dying quickly my friends. It too is groaning for the Lord. All of Creation groans for His return to finally make all things right. That's been His job from the get-go. And He promised that He would from the beginning, since Man's fall. It hasn't been our job to fix the earth or fix people by forcing society, using our wit and wisdom to make it "Christian."

Are we tired enough of this place yet?

I am by no means being a pessimist, or worse a fatalist. No, not at all. I am simply recognizing the fact that a greater reality awaits the believer in Christ. And while we spend so much time trying to fix this planet and it's unsaved inhabitants, we miss this reality.

So what then - do we just not care about others, about things? No, I mean we take time to assess ourselves and seek the Lord to readjust our focus. Are we so fixated on our present circumstances that we are missing His bigger picture? There is an immense picture being broadened right in front of us, but many are asleep to it. The signs of the times of prophecies past have been screaming at us to pay attention.

This is not a call to fret or worry, but simply a call to seek Him with all our hearts... to lay down our differences in the Body of Christ, between brother and brother, sister and sister. Get away from the noise of the daily grinding wheel, the rat race hamster wheel, and quiet yourselves before Him. It's time we ask Him for directions without our own agendas getting in the way.

Let's be quiet for Him and listen, really listen to what He is saying. More to come. More to say. As He allows.

Peace

Happy New Year?

AS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR I am confident, more than ever, that this world is tanking quickly and Jesus Christ remains man's only hope.

We can be as optimistic towards this world as we want, but we know that things are not getting better. We see it. We feel it. We may hide the facts with our daily routines and numbing entertainment escapes, but we are living in such unsettling and dangerous times.

Politicians and governments continue to fail us, civil unrest is on the rise, ISIS and other terrorists attacks have become a daily threat…encroaching world war, economies failing, natural calamities and climate extremes, etc., etc., etc. 

Everything is out of control. We're out of control…as if we were ever really in control to begin with. I'm putting my total trust in my Creator, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is your only real hope. Stop hoping things will get better, like if we just get the right political figure in office. How's that been working for us?

Pay attention to the signs, the facts. God is calling, maybe screaming for us to come to Jesus now. He is the only One that will make all things right. But according to the Bible, which is extremely accurate in its prophesying of these very times we are living in, this world will go through much hell first. God is bringing judgement upon the earth…finally.

The wicked will not go unpunished. And the righteous, those who believe on His Son for salvation, will be rewarded. It's as black and white as that. And in a time where truth is questioned and life is relative (as the serpent said to Eve, "Did God really say…?") this remains to be truthful and trustworthy:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your own Lord and Savior then (and excuse me, but) what the hell are you waiting for? It's that critical of a time. Now is the time. "Now is the day of salvation."

Please, consider what has been shared here.

Praying for you,

Dave

Some bits about Christmas that I've learned…

 

Some bits about Christmas that I've learned…

1) Jesus wasn't born in December, but more than likely in September. Pope Julius I chose December 25 for the Feast of the Nativity, which also happened to be the date which coincided with the pagan festival known as Saturnalia.

2) The stable where he was born may have been a cave and not the typical stable that we see in nativity scenes. And more than likely, the wooden manger that we see Him depicted in, was hewn stone.

3) The wise men (magi) weren't present on the night of Jesus' birth. The Bible does not mention their names, nor if there were three of them.

4) There is much pagan influence in the Christmas that is celebrated today.

5) None of the above really matters because the fact remains that Christmas for me is about a birthday celebration, celebrating the birth of the very Son of God—God's gift to mankind!

So…

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
And we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
We need a little Christmas now♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

Have you received the greatest Christmas present ever? His name is Jesus. He freely gave His life, suffering death on a cross for you and your sins. But He's alive. He beat the grave and rose from the dead. He lives and desires that you come to Him, that you be saved through Him. That's the Good News. It's the message of Christmas. It began in a feeding trough 2000 years ago and as the church bells ring out at Christmastime so does the Good News of Jesus Christ, God's plan of salvation and gift to mankind.

Have you accepted God's free gift of salvation? He stands knocking at the door of your heart, desiring for you to let Him in.

In this increasingly darkening world we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. We need Jesus Christ. He remains our only hope. All the signs of the current times indicate that He's coming again soon. He's coming to make things right and bring judgement upon this decaying world. And He's coming to take with Him those who know Him, those who have trusted in His name.

Please, please, please…think upon these things that I've shared here. I'm praying for you.

Dave ❤

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

HIS BIRTH WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING…

“If Jesus had preached the same message
      that ministers preach today,
           He would never have been crucified.”
                —Leonard Ravenhill

For the most part preaching today is focused on feeling good about yourself and others. For the love of God, love for others, but a tragic disregard for the cross of Jesus Christ and its message.

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND MINE! We are all sinners. In need of love and for loving others? Yes, but first and foremost we need to know the Source of that love, by accepting the Greatest Love, the love of God in His Son, Jesus. The love He displayed upon the Cross. The love displayed by the One who was sinless, who gave His life for us sinners.

It is impossible to separate Christ's love for us and His desire for us to love others, from the message of the Cross. In order to get to God we must go to the Cross, agreeing with God that we are sinners and accept His wonderful gift of salvation. It is only then when we discover what true, selfless, sacrificial love is all about.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

My prayer for this Christmas season is for all to see the reason for the birth of Jesus—for His life, His death and His resurrection. He promises eternal life both now and forever to all who believe.  

❤ Merry Christmas,

~~Dave

The Lord will provide!

Good question…

“What's crazier: 

Living and dying

for a cause you really believe in,

or just running with the rat race

until you die?”

 —Lee Strobel, "The Case for Christ"

Daniel and the lions den

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