Today’s scripture: Romans 8:31, 38-39 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
On January 29 in Be Still and Know, I wrote about Oneness, a spiritual truth that has changed the perception I have of who I am and why I am on this earth today. I cherish the change that has occurred in my relationship with God and with others as a result of the shift in belief that God, because of “sin,” withdrew or separated from the Creation. It has never resonated with my own soul that an unconditionally loving Mother/Father would withdraw Presence from the Created — and then legislate rules and conditions that must be followed and met to have a chance at reconciliation!
I share with you a piece of my own personal journey that once was hidden from my own awareness. The day my Daddy walked into the garage and with tears in his eyes told me, “Son, I have to leave, your Mama doesn’t love me anymore,” was a pivotal moment that dramatically affected me and my relationships for thirty-three years.
Abandonment issues are very real, if no other place than in one’s own mind! I allowed this “fact” — that two people who loved each other could now not love each other because of (fill in the blank) — to be transferred to my relationship with God. It seemed possible then that God could also choose to not love me because of (again, fill in the blank). Compound that with fear-based sermons and Christian music with such encouraging thoughts as “such a worm as I,” it’s not too difficult to go down the “I am flawed, degenerate, unlovable” path.
Enter Jesus. Countless number of times the Teacher spoke of His Oneness with the Father. His commitment to spending long periods of time conversing with God is well documented. Consider John 17, which tells us of the hours leading up to His arrest, and the fervent words He prayed, “Father, I pray that these My disciples would be One with You as I am with You. And I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message. . . that they will be One with You also.”
My brothers and sisters, “Who can separate us from the Love of Christ?” I firmly believe that our belief about this spiritual truth (Oneness vs. Separation) will substantially affect our thoughts and feelings about ourself — our divine essence — and how we perceive and interact with one another! Guarantee it!
Be encouraged as you listen to the words of this song, knowing that “nothing can separate us from God’s love!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KLGVKfiFTQThought for the day: God, what shall I say in response to this? If You are for Me, who can be against me?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.