January 13, 2020

Happy Monday to you. Did you have a good weekend and a blessed time of worship with other believers? 


This weekend through the Midwest were storms that were all around us from heavy rains to sleet to snow and even tornados. Four people died. And yesterday, a rather small, nondescript volcano in the Philippines near the capital city of Manilla erupted. And did so in a show of power and force. The volcano Taal, sent pieces of rock, steam and ash 9 miles up into the sky! The seismologists are warning that the next eruption will be soon and even more powerful—Tsunami causing powerful. When the ash started to fall, the air turned muddy and smelled like gun smoke. 


We know that all of creation is under the control of the Father, “who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65:6-7 ‭NIV‬‬


 We also know that “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬


So if we hold on to the promises of God, how do we reconcile these “natural” disasters where it at times seems like the earth is falling apart?


“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:20-22 ‭NIV‬‬


This world that seems to be falling apart, pretty much is. It is groaning and getting closer to the end. But notice, the “end” does not result in death, but in birth. The earth is in labor and as anyone who as given birth will tell you, the closer it gets, the harder and closer together the pain comes. I think Paul is trying to explain to us that the new is getting ready to replace the old. The new place where we no longer deal with the death and corruption of this world. 


“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬


So..we look up. It’s almost time! 


Lord of the heaven and earth, we pray for those so horribly effected by these groaning a of the earth—the storms and the rumblings and the explosions. We ask for your blessings and your hand of compassion and mercy on the families. We pray that you would help us to remember the corrupt and decaying earth is groaning to give way to the new. Remind us to ever look toward you for our hope and our strength. We love you Father and we offer our praise and worship to you this day. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam




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