Revealed Glory

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 decay 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. (Rom 8:18-23)

I've been home from India for about a week now. It was a good trip and definitely a two-way street of encouragement, revelation and fellowship. My father and I spoke 10 times each, for me mostly at a worship conference and for him mostly at a leaders' conference.

My faith was stirred and my expectations of God multiplied as I spoke with many of God's people there and heard their stories of the power of God and the miracles God has worked through them in recent months.

I heard two different accounts of small children being raised from the dead after doctors had pronounced them dead! That is outstanding.

I also heard something I had never heard before: I spoke with a young man who explained to me that seven years ago his father became the first believer in his region when a visiting evangelist prayed for him and he was healed of cancer and TB. At that time the man and his 3 sons (including the young man telling me the story) owned a piece of land that "only produced thistles and thorns" and they worked as migrant labourers and were starving.

But something happened as the father and then his sons became Christians. Crops began to grow on their unproductive land. Today their farm is known for its exceptional fruitfulness: producing more than enough to support four families. I asked that man whether God had given him special insight into what he needed to do to make the land productive: which crops to plant or some treatment of the soil. He said, "No, but as we heard about tithing and giving and began to do practice it, things started to grow on the land." Today all the farms that touch this one are becoming more fruitful and productive!

Creation, that has been subjected to futility because of the sin of Man, has always been in hope - in hope of a day when the glorious children of God will bring freedom to the world. And here we can see how the substance of creation responds to being under the care of citizens of God's kingdom. Praise God!

Comments

[Todd]

Awesome! I've heard a similar testimony out of Russia. Land that had been contaminated by radiation began to grow crops again once people were born again. It must have been awesome to hear that first hand account Matthew. Praise God for His covenant that commands his blessing. Increase that comes no matter what the circumstances! Amen.

[Joe James]

Dang...

Sweet!!!

I love hearing accounts like that of the exceptional miracles. I know that a 'miracle' is still a 'miracle, but when we move from the 'usual' miracles (ie. healings, the dead raised etc) and move into the believer seeing the power of good move in the natural environment then that really gets me excited.

I have been reading John Crowders book again (Modern Day Mystics) and it is just amazing to read the accounts in there about people flying (there was one priest and he was called the 'Flying Friar' hee hee), and people today walking on water and the like.

It stirs my heart and faith to expect more, not for the sake of the 'experience' but for the Glory of God. WOW!!

I'm so glad that you had a great time.

Joe...

[Beth Jones]

The earth is being filled with the knowledge of the Glory of God ... loved knowing about the weight & significance of God in India & am expecting to whip the dust covers off whatever 'Glory' needs revealing in Cuba!Woo Hoo