New Blog by Rocky - For Times Such as These

“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.”  Romans 8:19-22 ESV

 I have been praying through some thoughts and questions with the Lord.  Maybe you can help me process what has been going on lately, for there seems to be a connection with the verse I’ve included.  Strange as it might seem, my question to you is do you feel as a child of God that you live with a freedom that you did not have before Christ came into your life?  The passage above speaks of just such a freedom.  So, we need to ask if we have it.  If you do not know this freedom, and you are God’s child, it is likely because you do not abide in Him, and the cares of the world are robbing you of the freedom God wants for you (Matthew 13:22).  That’s what Jesus referenced about the third seed in His parable.  But there’s a simple fix.  Abide in Him, as mentioned in John 15, and you will find this freedom, and it is much more than I can explain in this blog.  We will help you if you are interested.  Just contact our office and we will get you in a Journey Group.  On the other hand, if you have this freedom and you know this, it is important that you help others find it, and that is where I’m going with this blog.  I want to connect some recent events to the urgency and opportunity we are now being given, for I believe it all fits together.

In the passage above we see two persons mentioned.  One would be a child of God, who has the freedom, and the other who has neither Christ nor the freedom that He gives.  Note two other things.  God subjects His creation (mankind) to futility and hardships, so that the sons (children) of God would emerge and embrace the freedom God wants for us.  The whole of creation is groaning in childbirth, so that God’s children would be born.  Ask any mother and she will tell you that childbirth is painful.  There is groaning and moaning.  There is a subtle build up over nine months until the day of birth, and it then becomes dynamic. Right before this dynamic birth, labor pains increase with intensity and frequency.  Metaphorically, Paul tells us that the futility that God’s creation goes through is the gestation period before our rebirth in Christ, and when it is more intense it is because birth is near.  I believe the labor pains Paul speaks of have increased in intensity, and in frequency lately.  Here’s what Jesus said about it:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”  Matthew 24:6-8 (ESV)

One would have to put his head in a hole in the sand to not see the frequency and intensity of the many things that challenge our world now days.  We have had the greatest number of tornadoes this year than any other.  Several “derechos,” which I’ve never heard of before this year have occurred.  Runaway inflation.  Runaway crime.  Runaway drug use.  Runaway homelessness.  Runaway illegal immigrant invasion.  Dysfunctional government.  The government of the people and for the people disrespected both nationally and internationally.  Two wars that could create a third world war.   Record number of drug overdoses.  According to new data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate in the United States recently reached its highest peak since 1941.  

With such things as these facts, it seems to me that mankind is coming to a sense of hopelessness, because everything seems so futile and difficult.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is there is about to come some major new births into God’s kingdom.  The labor pains are intense and because of it people are wising up.  They are seeing the false hope and dependence they’ve put into a world that cannot give them the freedom they deep down long for.  Do you think they would want to know what they are missing?  Do you think they would be receptive to the good news that a child of God could give them?  Would a starving person want food?  Would a thirsty person want water?  You better believe they would.

Jesus said that though we see these things, “the end is not yet.”  I believe He is telling His disciples that we have more to do during this period.  In fact, very important things to do.  As a messenger of the Gospel, and specifically one who feels that an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus is the greatest answer for the woes of God’s creation, I believe I must selflessly share the freedom and good news that God has given to me, and especially to the frightened and discouraged people around me.  In all the years I’ve done this I’ve never seen so many people ripe and ready for it.  That describes a harvest that’s ready to be picked.  Today we are seeing this.  The difficult and uncertain times we are dealing with have made it so.  But God is allowing this time and these present challenges … so that His children will be birthed.  We, His disciples, play a big part in nurturing both in the birth, and the after birth care of God’s spiritual babies. 

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV

God’s children can’t be neglected once they’re born, and that is where His followers come in.  They must be discipled, or else His babies will not reach maturity and find the freedom that’s available for them.  They will not grow to play their parts in the massive delivery and discipleship process that is about to happen and is needed.  I perceive there is a strategy at hand, and God is doing some really good things in spite of the dismal news that we read every day.  He is working in these bad times for something good and something better.

I believe a great awakening in the Church is about to happen.  I’ve talked to many people who are praying for this.  Many feel that it is imminent.  I believe the movie that God has instructed Influencers to produce is going to play a big part in this awakening.  Even as we produce the script, and all the details for the movie, we are also planning discipleship follow-up for massive amounts of people worldwide.  We believe that we serve a big God who has big plans, who has massive resources for accomplishing His amazing purpose, and we are committed to let Him have His way with us so that we might join Him to accomplish it.  Will you join us?  You will be needed.