Good day dear friends. Our prayers are with Mr. Houston Marney as he undergoes a heart cath this morning. Also for those facing unemployment or job changes during this holiday season. Also, for Connie Webb, former member of our church, who will visiting the city and Sights and Sounds, our city's Christmas event, was struck by a car. Reports are that she has left ICU and is doing much better than expected. Prayers for those whose loved ones are battling cancer.
Here is our study guide:
Thursday: Read Romans 8:18-27. This passage speaks of the “sufferings of this present age” which we know to mean those things addressed by Isaiah’s prophetic words. Read this passage and find what God’s message to you is found there. Read and enjoy those verses that proclaim the deliverance and freedom we find in Christ Jesus.
Here is that passage from NRSV: 8:18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
God knows our sufferings. God is with us. However you define or whatever it is that you're experiencing as a suffering, you are not alone, God is with you. In this powerful passage that I recommend in its entirety, Paul is addressing very serious sufferings by the early Church. Convinced that Christ would come back in their lifetime, many believed in Him. Yet as time passed, persecution and prosecution against the church began and many began to lose their lives and their loved ones. These were the greatest sufferings one could imagine experiencing for the sake of the Lord. Paul writes these words of personal faith because he himself had suffered (and would suffer even death) for the sake of Jesus.
This week those verses beginning with verse 26 spoke to the heart of a dear church member whose daughter is facing death because of cancer. We sometimes reach those points where we're cried out or tired out or spiritually drained, and it is precisely at those moments that God's Holy "Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." The best prayers may be those that the Holy Spirit prays for us when we think we can't pray. Paul knew that those sighs of despair and hurt were precisely what God would use to bless us in our situation.
May this Advent journey continue to bless and strength us all. May the promise and hope of He born a baby on Christmas be ours now and forever.
PRAYER: Loving God, come into my heart today. Help those who need Your presence, especially those suffering so much they can no longer pray. May the words of Paul be the comfort needed by so many, that You're there and You understand even the sighs and groans uttered by us. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
