Faith Matters | Answering the Earth’s groans during times of suffering
The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. To this day we are aware of the universal agony and groaning of creation, as if it were in the contractions of labor for childbirth. Romans 8:19–22 Passion Translation
I want to share with you the responsibility the Church has to answer the groans of the earth. And by the “Church,” I mean every believer in Jesus; you and I! We must hone our spirit ears to hear the inward suffering of those precious souls, who have yet to meet Our Father. Jesus is the answer, and we carry the cure everywhere we go! “Christ in you, the hope of Glory!” Ref. Colossians 1:27
During this unprecedented season we are in, The Church of Jesus Christ is being awakened to the fact that we are designed to shine in darkness, bring solutions, and function as God’s powerful agents of peace, prosperity and miraculous power.
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. - Isaiah 60:1–3 (NKJV)
Because you are made in the image of God, you are designed to make things better as an Ambassador of Heaven.
For it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and motivates us, because we are absolutely convinced that He has given His life for all of us. 2 Corinthians 5:14 Passion Translation
According to the words of Jesus, you have been given the authority to unleash the resources of His Kingdom onto the earth. This is wrought by loving with the heart of The Father, thinking with the mind of Christ, and walking in the miraculous gifts of The Holy Spirit. You see, Jesus put the Kingdom of Heaven in every believer, so every believer, would be Heaven on earth.
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:7–8 (NKJV)
Prayer to pray; “Dear Lord, help me to be a loving and powerful witness to the lost everywhere I go. Give me the courage to share my faith in You, to take risk by offering prayer, and invite people to receive You as their Lord, Savior, and King. Fill me again with Your Holy Spirit, restore in me the joy of Your Salvation, and light a fire of great passion in me to evangelize. Amen!”
Beyond anything else I could ever share with you; I offer you Jesus. Regardless of who you are, or what you’ve done, God is good, and He loves you. He sent His Son who paid the ultimate price for you. He died on a cross for your sins, but death could not hold Him. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you too can have a new and eternal life. Ask Him into your heart. Ask Him to heal you, to teach you His ways and to use you to help others.
Welcome to the Kingdom, welcome to the Family of God!
Faith Matters is written by members of the Bradenton clerical community. Don Sturiano is the senior leader of Kingdom Life Christian Church in Bradenton. He is also the chaplain for the Bradenton Police Department, and a member of the Bethel Leaders Network in Redding, Calif. For more information and to watch online visit www.kingdomlifechristianchurch.org.