fall is here

Seasons are great because they come at just the right time to remind us that things won't always be this way. It won't always be blistering hot in Texas (but yes, more often than not). It won't always be unbearably cold in Wyoming. Seasons will come and they will go, in some places faster or more frequent than others. 

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Perhaps this is God's sweet reminder to us that it won't always be like this. We live in a fallen world with fallen people. But this isn't home forever if you are a believer in Jesus. Someday we will leave this place and be in the presence of the Lord. And on that day there will be great songs of Praise. We we hope for this day while we fulfill our calling now.
​We see this tension in Romans 8.

Did you hear that... FREEDOM!
But don't you feel more burdened than free sometimes? I know I do. It's a fight people. Just as our troops fight for our freedom, we also must fight for our own freedom. Freedom of the heart. Freedom from the rule of sin in our lives. Ephesians 6 will explain how to fight if that's something you need today. Read it. Believe it. Do it.

We know that true freedom comes in the end, while we remain here fighting for our freedom now.

Romans 8:18 - 23
" 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."

We suffer well because of our hope. We press on because of the power within us from the Holy Spirit. On days when you feel like you failed or just didn't quite meet the mark set before you, remember this. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus then you 

"are more than a conqueror through Him who loved you." Romans 8:37

And this promise we cling to:
​"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38 - 39

So as you do all the "fall" things in celebration of cooler weather, remember God is making all things new and preparing the greatest celebration. 

Continue to hope.

And always keep growing.