Monday, Mar 24, 2008

March 24, 2008

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March 24, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 19; Ezekiel 22; Hebrews 12

Today is March 24, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. Together we are strong. As we walk though the word together we help each other grow.

Resurrection Sunday is past. The greatest day in the history of the world. If Christ is not risen our faith is vain. But now, since Christ is Risen from the Dead, we too will rise with Him. Sunday we had a great day together. Sunrise Service was perfect weather. Breakfast hit the spot. We had a lot of happy kids chasing easter eggs. And our balloon release, as always was a blast. Our time of worship seemed to top it off… and then we watched “The Passion Revisited” an audio/visual presentation. That was a great reminder of what Christ has done for us! After service, Susan and I stayed at Ken and Evie’s for lunch. Larry and Doug joined us. And then Ken took off for work. A few minutes later he called to say his car died and I took off to tow him. While on the way, someone must have been praying because the car started back up! It wasn’t too long and Evie dropped the Grand Kids off at our place for a few hours while she went to work. We played a few games and watched a movie. Saturday was Dakota’s Birthday party. I put a picture of him in his Groucho Marx nose up at www.timewithgod.mypodcast.com

This week’s theme verse is Romans 8:26-27: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. That’s a comfort. We are weak like all of creation is weak. We have been subjected to the principle of sin and decay. We are all susceptible to disease, accidents, emotional distress and decay. There is an ancient rhyme the old theologians used to teach this truth: “In Adam’s fall, we sinned all.” When God created the universe, it was not subject to decay or sin. It did not run down and it did not grow old. We don’t know how long our grandparents, Adam and Eve lived in this perfect world, but they did so without the problems and cares we have today. Once they sinned by disobeying God, it set off a chain of events which affected the entire universe. Since that singular moment in time, everything began to run down. The Sun is growing older and weaker. The gene pool is becoming polluted. As we get older, we wear out. The mind doesn’t work like it used to… but then it never did. We are weak. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. The word for “help” in the original language of the New Testament is a very complex combination of words which means “to come along side of in order to help or carry instead of.” It is used of slaves carrying burdens for their masters… instead of or in the place of their masters. The Spirit comes along side us and carries our burdens in our place. He knows we can’t bear all of our burdens. He knows that we have weaknesses, and God the Holy Spirit compensates for us! It reminds me of the poem footprints where, in the darkest times of our life God says, “It was then I carried you!”

Dear Jesus. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to live within. Thank you that you understand my weaknesses and you compensate for them. I could use your help, a lot. Please come along side me and bear my burdens. I’m willing to give them up if you are willing to take them up. Thanks for helping me even when I am not aware of it. Help me to be more grateful for your grace!

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