Dear People of God,

First, thank you to all of you who have been taking the time to read these thoughts of mine. As I let the Word of the Scriptures fall on my heart and mind and out into these devotions, I know that the Lord is speaking His encouragement to me, and I pray that they are a blessing and encouragement to you as well.

Today, I would like to continue our journey through Romans 8, looking at verses 12-17.

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“You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” (from Romans 8:15-17)

In this time of physical distancing, there is so much that has been taken away from us which reminds us of the connections we share to one another.  No handshakes or hugs.  No gatherings together in groups, especially as an entire worshiping congregation.  Having to settle for the feeling that six feet is “close enough”.  Each of us can list the things that we miss doing; things that keep us feeling connected to the people we love and care for.

Paul reminds us that through the Spirit who dwells in us, we have been made a part of and connected to a great family–the people of God, the body of Christ, the holy Christian Church.  And while we have been separated from one another for a greater good, we also need to remind ourselves of what truly binds us together.

It is our Heavenly Father, our “Abba”, “Daddy”, who is closest to us.  He is the One who made us to be His own by His creating us.  He is the One who has given us life, not only for here in time, but also for forever in eternity through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.  He is the One who through His Spirit has adopted us to be His own, and that all of His gifts and blessings–forgiveness, life, and salvation–are our inheritance now and forever.

This same Father to whom we are forever connected is also the One who connects all of us who are His own to one another as well.  Through His presence which is always with us because He is always present with us at every time and in every place, He also binds us, His children, together with Him.  Through God’s presence with us, we are through His Spirit, still connected to each other, even though we are apart.  In our prayers to the Father, as we cry out to Him in this time of need, we all are present before Him, beholding by faith His face, and trusting that He is indeed hearing and granting our prayers according to His will as is best for us.

As God the Father is with us, with the Son and Spirit, we know that we are not alone.  In fact, I am certain that He is breaking every rule of social distancing by enfolding His arms of love around each of us, holding us in His strong, caring, and protecting arms.  And those arms not just enfold you, or me, but all of us at the same time.  The whole world is in that embrace.  And what a feeling it is to know that all of us are there–all connected together.

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Thanks for reading.  I’ll be on Facebook Live this evening at 7 PM to lead our last Lenten Devotions and Bible Study from church.  Tonight’s theme in our “Eyes on Jesus” series is “Worldly Eyes”.  We will be reflecting on Jesus’ trial before Pilate, learning of Pilate’s worldly view and how, to keep his position and placate the Jewish leaders and crowd, he handed Jesus over for crucifixion. The soldiers saw the opposite of a worldly king, but their ironic hailing of Him as “King of the Jews” proclaims who He really is. The world looks for power and glory; God’s way is suffering and the cross. Which way do we look in the daily decisions we make?

I hope that you’ll be able to join us, either live or at a later time, and I’ll “see” you there!

God’s blessings be with you all, and “May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent one from another.”

Peace in Jesus,
+Pastor