Lots Of Groaning Going On

Photo by Laura Jostes

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits

of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for

our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this is hope we were saved.

But hope that is seen is no hope at all.

Who hopes for what he already has?

But, if we hope for what we do not yet have,

we wait for it patiently.”

* * * * *

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us

in our weakness.

We do not know what we ought to pray for,

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans

that words cannot express.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints

in accordance to God’s will.”

Romans 8:22-27

Something isn’t right.  I sense something is out of balance and I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Groan.

I know something is terribly wrong and I don’t know what to do.

Groan.

In either situation God knows and His Spirit groans with us to carry that burden to His throne of Grace.

Having trouble with finances?

Groan

Children?

Groan

Parents?

Groan

Health?

Groan

Work?

Groan

Studies?

Groan

Friends?

Groan

Temptations?

Groan

Persecution?

Groan

Ultimately, our dear Lord went through the same ups and downs of everyday living in this world. And he spent much time in prayer with the Father. He groaned in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemene.  He groaned on the Cross as His Father turned His back on His sin-ladened Son.  Deep anguished groans.

And now the Spirit groans deep utterances on our behalf seeking the will of our Father.

He hears the wordless pleadings, longings, sighs of His dear children–you and me.

He hears. And He knows our needs.

He brings His peace and love and mercy and soothes our aching souls for Jesus’ sake.

Thank You Father that You hear the groanings of our inward beings when we are at a loss for words.  Thank You for the intercession of the Spirit who intimately knows us as well as Your desires for us.  May we trust and hope in You alone to answer these deep well-spring prayers and to give you thanks and praise.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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May 7 Prayer Life

Photo by Laura Jostes

Devotion taken from Streams In The Desert compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

“He spake a parable unto them…that men ought to pray,

and not to faint.”  Luke 18:1

No temptation in the life of intercession is more common than this of failure to persevere.  We begin to pray for a certain thing; we put up our petitions for a day, a week, a month; and then, receiving as yet no definite answer, straightway we faint, and cease altogether from prayer concerning it.

This is a deadly fault.  It is simply the snare of many beginnings with no completions.  It is ruinous in all spheres of life.

The man who forms the habit of beginning without finishing has simply formed the habit of failure.  The man who begins to pray about a thing and does not pray it through to a successful issue of answer has formed the same habit in prayer.

To faint is to fail; then defeat begets disheartenment, and unfaith in the reality of prayer,which is fatal to all success.

But someone says, “How long shall we pray?  Do we not come to a place where we may cease from our petitions and rest the matter in God’s hands?”

There is but one answer.  Pray until the thing you pray for as actually been granted, or you have the assurance in your heart that it will be.

Only at one of these two places dare we stay our importunity, for prayer is not only a calling upon God, but also a conflict with Satan.  And inasmuch as God is using our intercession as a mighty factor of victory in that conflict, He alone, and not we, must decide when we dare cease from our petitioning.  So we dare not stay our prayer until the answer itself has come, or until we receive the assurance that it will come.

In the first case, we stop because we see.  In the other, we stop because we believe, and the faith of our hearts is just as sure as the sight of our eyes;  for it is faith from, yes, the faith of God, within us.

More and more, as we live the prayer life, shall we come to experience and recognize this God-given assurance and know when to rest quietly in it, or when to continue our petitioning until we receive it. ~ FROM THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

Tarry at the promise till God meets you there.

He always returns by way of His promises.

~ Selected

* * * * *

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God which transcends

all understanding, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Lord God, on this Day of Prayer we give you thanks for the gift of prayer;  for being able to call out to you in Heaven and know that we are heard.  We thank for you for Jesus whose death paid the penalty for our sin and whose blood now clothes us with his righteousness allowing us to come presentable in your sight.  Lord, hear the many prayers coming to you this day as believers across this nation lift hearts and hands to you on its behalf.  Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

July 24 Deep Down

Photo by Ben Parker

2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22; Romans 8:22-39; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 19:27-29

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time, not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but he Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according with God’s will.” Romans 8:22-27

Seeping from the deep
within my soul
the aches and pains of sin,
the filmy, gauzy separation
that keeps me dark within.
Spirit search me,
shine your Light,
dispel the hidden rot.
Keep me not
from your Presence.
Spirit intercede for me.

May repentant words
spill forth from my mouth,
my ears receive their hope
of sins forgiven.
Instead of groans,
songs of praise
bubble up to Heaven.

Thank you Jesus.
Thank you Spirit.
Thank you Father God!
Amen.

“Where the wound is and the hurting,
Pour in oil and cleansing wine.
Let your cross, its pow’r asserting,
Touch my life with grace divine.
Ev’ry bitter cup make sweet,
Bread of comfort let me eat.
For you won my soul’s salvation
By your death for ev’ry nation.”
~ Johann Heermann 1585-1647

September 27 Personal

Vector Art by Chris Vasquez

Isaiah 51:1-53:12;  Ephesians 5:1-23;  Psalm 69:19-36;  Proverbs 24:7

Reading Isaiah today and hearing the prophet’s words about my Savior, I wanted to make this post personal.  I encourage you to meditate on Isaiah’s  words, drinking in the truth about our human condition and the awesomeness of our Lord.

“Surely he has borne my griefs

and carried my sorrows;

yet I esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for my transgressions;

he was crushed from my iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that

brought me peace,

and with his stripes I am healed.

I, like a sheep, have gone astray;

I have turned to my own way;

and the Lord laid on him

all my iniquity.

 

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,and like a sheep before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

By oppression, and judgement he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the

living,

stricken for my transgressions?

 

And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

 

…yet he bore my sins

and made intercession for me.”

Isaiah 53:4-10, 12

 

Dearest Jesus,  you did this all for me–and for every single person who’s ever lived and will live.  Such a sacrifice is beyond understanding!  Because of you, I, too can live–forgiven and free.  Thank you for your love and mercy–and obedience to the Father–that led you to the cross, to suffer and die for my sins–and the sins of the world.  May I live in humble adoration this day and serve you with joy in my heart.  May I imitate you and live as light in this dark world.  In your name I pray, Amen.

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us an gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  Ephesians 5:1-2

Vector Art by Chris Vasquez

 

April 9 One Last Thing…

 

Deuteronomy 33:1-29;  Luke 13:1-21;  Psalm 78:65-72;  Proverbs 12:25

I can’t believe it!  We’ve journeyed through the wilderness with the Israelites with Moses at the helm for 40 years.  We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Now this massive group of people, this nation that God preserved since the days of Egypt just as He promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), is poised to enter the Promised Land.

What could be going through Moses’ mind?  He’s about to say goodbye to a huge part of his life–his mission has come to an end.

Standing before the countless faces of men, women and children all looking to him Moses shares one last thing….a blessing.

“This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death:”

Reuben, live!…Judah, be helped!…Levi, be skilled!…Benjamin, rest secure!…Joseph, enjoy God’s gifts!…Zebulun, rejoice!…Issacher, feast!..Gad, lead! Dan, spring!…Naphtali, abound!…Asher, grow strong!  (Simeon wasn’t mentioned by name, but he was included in the inheritance along with Judah, just so you don’t think I missed somebody!)

Lastly, Moses reminds the Israelites “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…Blessed are you, O Israel!  Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?  He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword.”  Deut. 33: 27, 29

So long, Moses.  I hate to see you go but I know I’ll see you in Heaven!  I’ve a few questions I’d like to ask you about…..

Lord God, thank you for your man, Moses.  Moses who faithfully led your people; interceded for them; taught them; prepared them.  Thank you for continuing to lead us on our earthly journey by your Word, your Spirit, and your Church.  We pray that you would bless us, Lord, so that we may be a blessing to those around us.  Thank you for saving us!  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen