Waiting Eagerly #249

Romans 8:22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Do you have something special in your future that you are eager to experience? Maybe you have a birthday or anniversary, or a graduation, or big vacation planned. You can hardly wait. The expectations of future events can bring great joy. Likely no other future event will bring greater joy and fulfillment than the day God takes you to your eternal home in heaven.

You are obviously aware of the struggles of this life. The Bible calls it groaning. Something within you longs for some relief from the struggles of life. It does not mean all of life is one big GROAN, but it does mean we suffer in our present state, (living in this body.) We have peace within at the same time because God has placed His Holy Spirit in every believer as a foretaste of the future. As a believer in Jesus Christ God has given you hope. One day you will find release from the current body that enshrouds you. You will be released from sin and suffering.

Right now you are waiting eagerly for that day. That is hope. You don’t have it yet. You were given this hope when you first trusted Jesus as your Savior, Lord and Life. Your hope is based on God’s promises of life eternal. For all of time mankind has longed for immortality. In Jesus that has become reality. Yet it is still not completed. You are waiting in hope. In the meantime the Holy Spirit guarantees the future with no pain, sorrow, suffering or groaning. You can wait patiently and confidently in the promises of God and His indwelling presence. Someday you will have a brand new body. It will be one without corruption. It will be free indeed. You will be totally free.  

______________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Starbucks just built a new store near my house. I now have five Starbucks within 

two miles of my home. I can go in any direction and be at a Starbucks in less than five minutes. "Way too convenient." It does allow me to move around and get an opportunity to meet more people also. 

What a wonderful time of year. Beautiful weather, end of school activities, church functions, and family times. We celebrated Mother's Day with our family's Moms on Sunday as we shared a meal together.

Sandy, Mandy and Susan went to our Churches Mother's Day luncheon on Saturday. They had a great time. Sandy was thrilled to share the day with her girls. 

The week of 13-20 will be busy as usual. The end of the year band and choir concerts will find Sandy and I sitting in some of the most uncomfortable chairs in the world. Have you ever noticed how school chairs are made to keep parents and grandparents awake with pain. Collin and Bennett have concerts. Burke's band concert is not for another week. Bennett attended the "1950's Prom Activity" this past week end. 

Promise Keepers is in town this week end. I have been asked to be an evangelism counselor. I was eager to serve. Preaching opportunities have began to come together. I will be preaching at the Church on Randall Place on May 19th and at First Baptist Church of Tempe on the 26th. (all three morning services)  I am still working with other churches for scheduling future Sundays. Thanks for your prayers. 

This summer will be a wonderful time as we are hoping to spend time camping with the family. We hope to be able to take Johnny on his first camping trip. That should be exciting. He loves "outside" as he calls it. 

God has so blessed us with family, friends, ministry, and a wonderful church family. We are grateful for the renewed strength and health. 

I was asked this week how I was feeling. I had to answer that I was the best I have been in a long time. I know I am better because I climbed on top of my travel trailer to fix a vent and then I waxed the whole camper. I have not had that kind of strength and energy in many months. God is good. 

God bless you today with renewed HOPE!!  ~ DGW