The questions asked about God most generally often lead people to question which god is real.  And I guess the answer is the same as the question.  We can make a god out of anything and anyone.  And the “gods” we make whether mental or made of some earthly substance or are created by some mystical experience or in our own minds can all be valid.  The question is not which God is real because — as Paul states — they are all real to some extent.  The reality for us — those of us who have accepted Christ — is that there is only one God.  The questions are, “Who gives us everything we have and need”, and “Who is responsible for our lives?”  If the answer to those two questions points to anyone other than the Creator — that God of all created things, the Redeemer — the One who has paid a price to capture our souls, and the Sustainer — the Spirit of God who watches over us, guides us, leads us, supports us, advocates for us and lets us know that our God is real, then, we probably need a reality check.  There is only one God who is able to be over all, in all and through all.  We know God as our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Sustainer — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• How do you understand Paul’s statement: “Indeed, even though there may be so- called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords — yet for us there is one God, … “ as a confirmation of your faith?
• What makes your God different from all the other gods and lords?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Holy and loving God, enable my faith to continue trusting in You as the only God of my creation, and Jesus the one through whom I exist, and the Holy Spirit who sustains me in every situation of life.

         The Holy Spirit of God is a truly powerful force.  She is the fundamental source of access to God, our creator.  (I use She because the Hebrew word for spirit is ruach and is feminine in gender).  God’s Holy Spirit is the one power that collectively unites us with God in a way that removes those human-made barriers that have kept us apart as a human family.

         I once served alongside a part-time secretary during a season of church transition.  We needed temporary help, and through a temp agency she came to work with us.  She was Jewish, and in the course of conversation I told her that, before I came to know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I had lived as a heathen.  I shared that through Christ I had come to know God in a new and life-giving way.  Her reply stayed with me. She simply said, “I’ve never been a heathen.”  She did not speak with pride or contempt, but with the quiet assurance of someone who had always understood herself to belong to God through her heritage.  In that moment, I sensed the gentle truth of the Spirit: the real difference between us was not whether God was present, but how the Spirit, in grace, tears down the walls that separate us and draws us together as one.

         It was the Spirit of God’s grace present in Jesus Christ that abolished the law with its commandments.  And it was put into effect as God shared the Holy Spirit with each of us regardless of the law and its commandments.  It came only by grace through faith and the faithfulness of God’s promises.  This was only possible as Jesus took on the role of God’s perfect sacrifice for all humanity demolishing the hostility created by those who were inside —near —  and those who were outside — far off.  His act of love bridged the gap of separation from God and truly made us one in the Spirit and one in the Lord, allowing us to experience the fullness of God.

• How has your reconciliation to God through grace helped you to know that you are now a part of God’s family, totally accepted?
• What does it feel like to realize that you are totally loved by God through God’s grace in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit who embraces you?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Almighty God, You have empowered me by Your Holy Spirit to experience all of You. Enable me to always know the fullness of the unity of Your life in me and my life in You.

         The idea of becoming Christ-like — of reflecting a unified spirit of love for one another, sympathy, humility of mind, and a spirit of caring and compassion are growing edges for most people.  It’s especially true because it calls for a reversal in mindset of almost everything we’re taught growing up.  Growing up, we’re taught to stand up for ourselves.  Upon being united with Christ and the Spirit, we’re expected to stand up for Christ.  We’re previously taught to hate our enemies, yet the way of Christ tells us to love our enemies and to pray for those who abuse us.  The way of Christ is so vastly different from what has become a traditional expectation of culture that it pushes and pulls us in a direction that is uncommon for us.  And yet, that is the challenge that we face as God’s people representing Jesus Christ.  Putting the whole package of God together in these human vessels is what allows others to see, and experience all of God.  Blessing others is our gift to the world.  Inheriting God’s blessing is God’s gift to us.

• How has embracing the Holy Spirit and the fullness of God’s being challenged you to become more Christlike?
• What are some of your continued growing edges as you continue your journey to become more Christlike?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious God, let my life be a blessing to everyone I encounter as a reflection of a Christlike Spirit so they may know the unity of Your Spirit through kindness, mercy and grace.