Coffee With The Lord

From Groaning to Glory!!! Romans 8:18-30

Here’s Paul’s faith-filled assertion… “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us!” … This entire passage today develops that grand and glorious, faith-filled theme!

Creation is groaning under the impact of sin… but in anticipation!… And we are not exempt… we also groan! We are awaiting our fulfillment as God’s sons and daughters – the redemption of our bodies!

Even though we sometimes find ourselves groaning, we have the Divine help of the Holy Spirit!  He is making intercession for us according to the will of God! And He turns our groaning into a prayer!!!

And in the meantime we know this – we have this confidence – “He is working in all things for good, for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose!”

What a hope – what a confident expectation!  Ultimately we have been predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, Jesus… Predestined, called, justified and ultimately GLORIFIED! GROANING TO GLORY!!! In process to be glorified! Ultimately bearing His image… REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE’RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

Wells of Salvation!!! Think of it…

Isaiah 12… You need to read it > reflect on it > and respond to it today! This is an incredible, edifying, uplifting “hymn of praise!”

Your personal “well of salvation” is deep and full of wonderful, refreshing truths of times the Lord has rescued you, forgiven you, and been your healer, provider and deliverer!!! Think about those times today – I did!!!

And you’re not the only one… The term is plural… “WELLS of Salvation! Each one of us have wonderful stories to tell!!!

“Praise the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted! Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth!” (vss. 4-5)

Can you imagine the terror and tragedy of a person kayaking above Niagara Falls as they busy themselves with their something on their cellphone.  They drift past all the warnings, they ignore all the barriers, and came very near slipping over the falls to their death!

I thought of that kind of possibility as I read Genesis 19:1-29 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord.  Hey,  this chapter is very difficult to read… It certainly is not uplifting!

Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his family have drifted toward the decadent cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (apparently for economic reasons).  God has purposed He must destroy these cities for their sin. The Lord mercifully sends heavenly emissaries to Lot to warn them and lead them to escape God’s judgment. (I believe, in response to Abraham’s intercession).  However, it is clear that “spiritual drift” has set into Lot’s life and family. He, and his family, have enculturated to Sodom more than they recognized or even wanted to admit… and it shows!!! Sodom has influenced Lot’s family and it is only a merciful act of God that he is spared its complete destruction in judgment.  Lot and his family almost have to be dragged from the city’s destruction they are so reluctant to leave.  Then God’s judgment falls.

It’s a sad, sad chapter in the Bible and a warning to us all who live in a wicked time and sinful culture!  Spiritual and moral drift is dangerous (and left unchecked, disastrous)!  Resist it!  Avoid it!  Beware!!