Heaven

Conviction not condemnation

I have been continuing to reflect on the need for our personal connection with God. He is never changing (see Malachi 3:6; James 1:17); He exists beyond time throughout eternity and whilst His character is consistently the same towards each one of us, we can all choose to have our unique connection with Him. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14). In this verse, we have the fullness of God described, with His son Jesus Christ reconciling all of us with Himself and the Holy Spirit indwelling us to help in both small and big things in life. He changes us through gentle conviction not heavy handed accusatory condemnation (see Romans 8:1-2). It is not religiosity but love.

Religion and Truth

Today my early morning prayer time focused on the words Religion and Truth. There are debates on the etymology of the word Religion, one suggesting an origin of to mean to bind or tie fast which is the meaning I had heard - to be bound to certain practices in order to know God. As a result, I say I am not religious even if I do like to pray and attend church. I do what I do for God in free will so I would rather say I am spiritual as God's Kingdom is spiritual. Some scholars and linguists say that they word religion is based on the word relegere, meaning to re-read, re-think and to consider carefully. The very fact that there is not a concrete explanation for the word Religion proves the point that truths can be objective and open to interpretation. Everybody's walk with God is different but what is consistent is the need to walk with and have a relationship with God. Who do you know well without having a relationship with them? Facts are not enough. Being told 'truths' about God is not enough. As Christians we believe that Jesus is the connecting bridge between God and humanity. However, all our connections are unique. Don't judge others and don't let others' judgements impact you regarding yours and their relationship with God.

I am who I am

Today I was reminded that God told Moses that He is "I am who I am" and to tell His people that (Exodus 3:14). Whenever we say that God is 'I am' we are declaring that He is not only of the past, He is not just a promise for the future but He is ever present. In John 8:58, we read, " Very truly, Jesus answered, I tell you, before Abraham was born, 'I am". The religious leaders were angry at what they perceived as absolute blasphemy in saying He was divine, especially from someone of such lowly status. In our relationship with God and being borne in His image, let us also concentrate on your "I am" - who you are today. Our yesterday is behind, forgiven and forgotten by God, and let us give Him our future life whilst He personally journeys with us towards our destiny of eternal heaven. Concentrate on your life with God today, every day.

Heaven

I reflected recently that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20) and indeed, Jesus said He is preparing a place for us in His Father's house (John 14:1), with the final book in the bible describing the awesome new heaven on earth Revelation 21 and 22). In Hebrews 13:14 we read, "For here we do not have an enduring city but we are looking for the city that is to come". The context of that verse, as explained in the preceding verses, is that just like God's people burnt animal sacrifices outside the camp on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to symbolise the removal of sin, Jesus was crucified on the hill of Golgotha outside the city of Jerusalem. The traditional sacrifices were made every year. Jesus was the sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 10:10). When we identify with Jesus and His promised eternal heaven, we will also be outside the camp, so to speak, separated from what is considered the norm, being criticised, mocked, thought of as ridiculous and even persecuted. Yesterday we read Jesus's words of ente.ring His Kingdom like a little child, trusting and believing. That is easier said than done but whatever God asks of us, He wants to enable us if we step out in faith

Long in the tooth

Today I saw the imagery of a tooth with a long root which led me to think on the old English idiom, "to be long in the tooth", often humorously suggesting someone is getting old. This has further made me reflect on my 97 year old Auntie Tessie who died 2 days ago. She had had dementia for 25 years, and returned to living in her memories of childhood, but she never forgot God. This was a similar situation to another older lady I had known with dementia. God is not asking for us to be clever and experienced but is asking for our heart. This is why Jesus told His disciples, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent (that is, change your inner self - your old way of thinking, live changed lives and become like children (trusting, humble, and forgiving), you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 18:3 Amplified translation). Obviously we don't need to be old, with dementia, to become childlike in our faith. We can simply trust that we are all invited into God's Kingdom, choosing to follow His ways of Love.