St. Paul on God's Love

Paul’s Letter to the Romans is characterized as an “elaborate theological essay” by the study notes in my NIV Bible. Not an easy read!

…but it’s our handbook on sin, redemption, salvation, grace, etc. Chapter eight speaks to forgiveness…the power and presence of the Holy Spirit…and Paul’s prose soars in the final two verses:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Lord,

I seek the Spirit-controlled life…the Christ-centered life…the God-focused life...that St. Paul promises us in Romans.

But I’m too much “in the flesh”…not enough “in the Spirit.” There’s a strong resemblance to Adam. No one would mistake me for Jesus.

So, I thank you for the incredible promises we find in Romans, Chapter Eight.

The Apostle’s very first line:
…there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation. No judgment. Thank you, Father.

And Paul’s last verse:
…nothing can separate us from the love of God that is Jesus Christ our Lord. Not death. Not evil. Nothing in all creation. Thank you, Father. Amen.

A Spirit-filled sunset on Currituck Sound, Duck NC

Portrait of St. Paul by Rembrandt, 1635

Transcendence

Sunset Beach, NC

Your words, Lord Christ, to the first disciples…
The kingdom of God is near. (Mark 1:15)

St. Paul speaking to the Athenians…
…he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:27-28)

St. Paul writing to the Corinthians…
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2nd Corinthians 4:18)

Father, this is barely comprehensible to me.

Depending on the translation, your kingdom is near…at hand…it’s here! We’re living within the Kingdom…surrounded by God…enveloped by the Creator.

My encounters with the Kingdom are akin to a drive by. If I could only end this tug of war – my will vs. your will. I want to release the rope…take your hand…live within the Kingdom.

Lord, I pray for a palpable sense of the invisible…for a deeper spirituality. Levitate my spirit. Amen.

Candlemas

February 2nd was a Feast Day for much of the Christian community. Candles are significant to the observance. Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox Church and Anglicans celebrate Candlemas or the Meeting of the Lord.

Forty Days after Jesus’ birth his parents presented him at the Temple in Jerusalem. During the purification ritual Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:22-38) recognized the infant as the promised Messiah - long before his ministry began. Simeon proclaimed Jesus to be the “light for revelation.” There’s the candle connection and the name - Candlemas or Candle Mass. As Bible stories go, I believe this is a big one:

Simeon’s personal recognition of Jesus as our light, as our salvation, is fundamental. Anna’s enthusiasm for telling others is essential.


Praise God!
For Jesus,
Our Lord and Savior!

To borrow Simeon’s words: My eyes have seen your plan for salvation. We stand in the light of revelation.

Lord Christ, you are our illumination - our everlasting light.

We seek your presence and guidance - your enlightenment.

Like Simeon and Anna, may we find you - in Word, in worship, in service. May we recognize you in those we serve and those who serve us.

Prepare our hearts to faithfully reflect your light! Amen.

Photo credit

Prayer for Haiti

Dear God, I make much in these prayers of your glory revealed in nature, but nature turned on Haiti. Our heart aches for the people of Port-au-Prince. Our head aches for understanding.

My theology doesn’t smoothly accommodate acts of God, and the faith is wounded by religious pundits who claim to know the mind of God.

I pray that your Spirit will fill my chasm of knowing with more trusting…and some doing: stroke a check, volunteer, pray consistently.

I’m sure Haitians - who know severe suffering and loss up close - are clinging to their faith. I can keep a tighter grip on mine.

Yes, Father, you are revealed in nature. When that view is obscured, we find you elsewhere - in rescue workers and care givers, in relief workers and generous givers. There are things I can’t fully grasp, but your presence is never in doubt.

Lord Christ, may the people of Haiti find healing and restoration at your merciful hand. Amen.

Photo credit

Lead Me to the Rock

Curecanti Needle, Colorado Rocky Mountains

Words of praise from the 61st Psalm:
Dear God, you are my...

Rock
Refuge
Tower
Tent

My wings
Eagle’s wings that shield me
Eagle’s wings that lift me up

Proverbs declares: Whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (29:25b)

So, why am I so inclined to measure my security at the bank, or the office, or even at home?

You, Father, are my first line of defense. My security is in your abiding presence - through your love, through Jesus’ forgiveness, through the Spirit’s power.

As King David prayed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge. Amen.

Better than OnStar

My wife will tell you that I hesitate (or refuse) to ask for directions. Technology has helped, though. My Blackberry has a GPS enabled navigator app.

Writing for Scripture Union, Dr. Elaine Storkey* makes an important point about spiritual navigation: “When we don’t let the Bible lead us to God, we turn from the great road map God has given us.” I’ve borrowed a few of her words for this prayer.

Dear God,

Considering my reluctance to ask for directions, I thank you for the Bible. It’s my road map.

And I pray for a measure of your Holy Spirit. It’s my GPS.

My confession: I don’t make time to recharge my GPS, and I sometimes lay the map aside.

…but still, Father, you patiently offer turn-by-turn directions.

My destination: An encounter with the Living God.

Speak to me from the pages of your Word. May I be drawn into your presence.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

* - Scripture Union USA, Encounter with God, 1/12/2010

Reverent & Jubilant

Sunrise at Sunset Beach, NC

Again, I turn to Max Lucado for a challenging thought. In his book And the Angels Were Silent Lucado warns against our tendency to “replace the Living God with the puny achievements of man.” The Psalms are an antidote:

Words of praise, Lord, from Psalm 24...

Words of praise, Father, from Psalm 89...

Dear God, do we really see or sense your splendor? Maybe our view is inadequate? Improve our vision.

Is our worship anemic? Does it capture your majesty? Infuse us with your spirit.

Surrounded by your presence, we are both reverent before our sovereign, all-powerful, creator God…and jubilant at your grandeur, blessing and love.

Thanks be to God. Amen.