Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!
What a wonderful weekends’ respite that was Father! I’m not usually a big fan of three-day-weekends as I tend to try to fit too much in, and end up more tired than usual. This past several days however, we were Blessed to be able to spend time with family and friends, get some things done around the house, and yet still have ample time to rest and recuperate. All-in-all, it was a lovely long weekend and I thank You for such Blessings in our lives.
Well Father, as yesterday was a holiday and I didn’t post our conversation to phatherphil.org, I thought I’d fly in the face of convention and write a Meditations Monday article… On Tuesday. I know Lord, I’m a rebel. 🙂
Today’s Scripture comes from the Book of Romans, Chapter 8. In this passage, the Apostle Paul is discussing our suffering while here on Earth, and how we should be looking at it in the context of Your Plan:
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” – Romans 8:18-21 (NIV)
This is a terribly important piece of Truth Father, and one that all of us overlook from time to time. Our existence here is a season; temporary, and in the eternal scheme of things, brief. And while the suffering, trials and tribulations we go through may seem overwhelming upon occasion, their magnitude and duration pales in comparison to the glory those who are one with Christ will receive when finally raised up in Your Kingdom. Paul also emphasizes the passing nature of our Earthly problems in 2nd Corinthians where he states:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
If we indeed view our trials here as “light and momentary”, and focus on the “eternal glory” that awaits those who persevere and preserve in the Love of Christ, then our burdens take on a completely different perspective… Through Your Eyes Lord.
Heavenly Father, as we begin this week’s endeavors I pray for Your guidance and assistance in assigning the proper level of importance to our burdens. Please anchor our Spirits in Christ Jesus, and instill in our hearts a glimpse of the wonder and glory that is to come. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
We often focus too much on the temporal and not enough on the eternal. I’m not saying that we just ignore our suffering, but like you said, we need to view them in light of the eternal. Great perspective, Phil. Many blessings!
Thank you Lisa! Some of our most powerful lessons are found in our trials, so when we can view those moments as “stops on the journey”, those teachings can very much bring us closer to God as well.
Have a Blessed Day!
Oh, and I’m a rebel too. I have a Monday Multitudes post up on Tuesday. 🙂
🙂
Great scripture choices! Our trials seem so large and difficult, but they are temporary. I want to focus on the eternal.
They are indeed Jenifer… We need to keep our eyes and hearts on the eternal goal, not the temporary troubles we face.
Have a Blessed Day!
Nice post, Phil. I’ve always loved that verse in 2 Corinthians. The eternal glory we look forward to far outweighs our trials today. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you Eileen! Keeping our hearts focused on God’s eternal promise makes our everyday trials seem so much smaller.
Have a Blessed Day!
Through Your eyes, Lord – what a neat prayer and one i will be saying all week. Thanks, Phil
🙂 Thank you Jean!
Have a Blessed Day!
Things that are earthly will only vapor away set our eyes and hearts on those things that will last for eternity.
Amen Desiray!
Have a Blessed Day!
Phil,
I love that verse in Romans 8 and thank you for being obedient to Lord and writing about this today, he has been speaking so profoundly to me lately, not just when I am in the word, but also through blogs that I visit regularly and He definitely spoke to me today through you. Thank you for writing such a wonderful post and being an obedient messenger of Gods word.
Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you so much Kandi! I’ve found the same thing as well; when we open ourselves to seeing God’s influence all around us, it’s amazing where we receive the messages He provides.
Have a Blessed Day!
Well said, Phil! I’m living this temporary life with my eyes fixed upon the coming eternity!
Amen Allison! Thank you!
Have a Blessed Day!
Even though we see our trials as something that is hard to bear at times if we just look towards God and what awaits us in our heavenly home, it is well worth the trials and the wait. Love your post and great prayer. Blessings to you.
Keeping our focus on God’s promises makes everything else pale in comparison, doesn’t it Deane? 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Just as the heat here in Oklahoma is temporary as we look forward to the next season so are the seasons of difficulty we face on this earth. Love those verses.
I don’t envy you that hot weather Tresa… But as you said seasons of this life give way to the glory that is to come.
Have a Blessed Day!
Whether your meditation is on Monday or Tuesday it is right on time 🙂
I remember being part of a church (long ago) that focused on health, wealth, and prosperity as being our ‘right’ as an heir. Then I began to read the Word for myself, only to discover that the only true aim in life should be, as stated in Philippians 3:10, to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. This and other scriptures opened to me the reality of suffering, so I hid in my heart all these thoughts on what suffering means to us.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…2 Tim 2:12
Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17
Thank you so much for sharing this Debra. I’m very glad that you did what many followers don’t do… you read God’s Word for yourself to find His Truth. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!