Sunday Writing... 7-19-20... "GROANS"

Good morning!

Today's writing is about "GROANS" and who might elicit that sound and why.  Groans have totally different meanings at different times and when coming from different sources.  Read on to find out more.

Blessings on your week,
Jan

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Today's Devotional:

"GROANS"

by
Jan Andersen

A person groans when they are showing disapproval, or when they are in pain or despair.  A bad “dad joke” might elicit a groan that only a pun deserves.  But life groans are more serious.

Life on this earth is hard. We are constantly bombarded by difficulties along the way.  There are strained relationships, work struggles, financial burdens and health issues, all within our own immediate sphere.  We don’t have to look too much further to see political turmoil, social unrest, and world-wide miseries.  Sometimes our distress is so great we groan and cry out in anguish, along with the whole earth as well.  There may be times that we don’t even know what to say or how to pray.  Thankfully, the Spirit prays for us with groans too deep for words!

Romans 8:26-27 ESV  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

In spite of all of the struggles, there is great joy to be found.  Even if we cannot find happiness in a situation in which we find ourselves, if we look deep enough we can rest in God’s unending joy, knowing that He has an ultimate plan for our good.  When our life on this earth passes, we have something incomparable waiting for us in heaven, all thanks to the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus.  God has adopted us as his children.  And if his second coming occurs, the whole creation will stop groaning and rejoice!

Romans 8:18-23 ESV  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but  because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

So when we groan, it is totally different from when the Spirit groans for us.  Whatever we may be going through here on earth, we have joy in the promises of God, love in the salvation of Christ, and peace in the groaning of the Sprit who prays for us!

Dear Father in heaven, you know my heart.  When I am struggling so hard that I don’t even know what to pray, listen to the Spirit’s groanings for me.  Forgive me no matter how far I might stray from You, and lead me back with your gentle hand.  Thank you for carrying me through any difficulties I might face and for your loving forgiveness through Jesus your Son, in whose name I pray.  Amen.              

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Song:

ABBA FATHER LET YOUR SPIRIT PRAY THROUGH ME

Animated Faith

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries.

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