Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
There are many connections to God that we can utilize. Our internal one accessed through prayer and meditation, and our external one accessed through reading the word and talking with other believers. But there is one heavy-hitter connection that is often ignored. Thomas A Kempis calls this “the mystery that delights heaven and keeps the entire world intact.”
It’s definately a mystery as to how it works so powerfully; but why is it such a mystery to those who are seriously seeking God? It should be a regular shot-in-the-arm for all believers like a daily vitamin, or weekly game with the guys, or girls lunch out!
What am I talking about? – Only that which was a huge focus of Jesus’ ministry! Communion, Euchrist, or the Last Supper! Chapter 9 tells us: “Jesus initiated this tradition during his Last Supper meal with His disciples as He partook of Passover traditions. It was as Jesus and his disciples broke the bread and drank the wine sanctified by the Kiddush prayer celebrating God’s provision, that Jesus commanded “Do this in remembrance of Me.” –Remember Me, celebrating God’s provision! Thomas A Kempis elaborates: “In this Sacramant spiritual grace is granted, the soul’s lost strength is restored, and it’s bearty, often disfigured by sin, returns again. And sometimes this grace is so great that, through the fullness of the devotion offered to God, not only the mind, but the wakened body as well, feels an increase in strength.”
Look for opportunities to celebrate communion, or make some! Let’s start a movement of strong-souls, soaring with the wings of eagles, in God’s strength!
Tags: Communion, Connecting with God, Euchrist, last supper, Spiritual Power
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Sunday, April 4th, 2010
It’s passover week. During the origional struggle between God and Pharoah, God made it very clear that He considers the first fruits of human endeavor His. He took the lives of the first borns of all Egypt making the point, and yet in His abundant grace He “passed-over” the first-borns of Israel who were consecrated to Him. We were commanded to celebrate Passover and remember -forever! God knows we tend to forget. Some things are just too important to relegate to that ignored pile. God knows we require effort to focus on things. Jesus was celebrating Passover (having the Seder feast) as His last supper (See Chapter 9). The last meal He ate was an act of consecration to God as He remembered that God had set His people free to serve Him and were no longer slaves to other gods. Jesus’ leadership required sacrifice. He knew that He was facing death.
I talk about this much in God for Everyone, but today, I’m reveling in the eternal freedom from the perminent kiss of death. I too have been resurrected (freed to live eternally in God’s presence in one form or another); By Christ’s overcoming of death and resurrection to eternal life. Christ made a way and I am following. It is still a daily struggle (and will remain so until He returns again to set things right – see chapter 10); but it is so worth it. Especially on days like today – it is far and away the most beautiful spring I’ve ever experienced here this year, and I am surrounded by the beauty and fragrance of overwhelming blooms; it is a quiet, peacefully light-grey morning and I am obediently focusing on God’s choice to overcome death and offer abundant-life to me (also in chapter 10) . The gratitude consumes me and I am thankful beyond words that though I face a death of my own desires daily and fight Satan’s fears constantly, there is an overcoming power that is at work in me and I am noticing it. I am one day closer to an eternity in perfection with a God who left no stone unturned in searching for a way to bring me into union with Divinity.
Tags: last supper, Passover, resurrection, sacrafice, Seder
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