Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Today’s Word

“Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?” Acts 26:8

Today’s Reflection

To me this is the most important thing in Christianity. God brings life to the dead and calls into being that which does not currently exist (Romans 4:17). I think this is everything.

Imagine the best thing God could ever do. Does that give you the feeling that what you imagine is too good to be true? If you think that, and if the resurrection and its Romans 4:17 implications for our lives are true, then I cannot imagine how anything “too good to be true” could possibly not be true. God’s reality, redemption, and restoration of all things (Acts 3:21) has to be bigger and better than the highest and best any human can imagine.

Can you imagine that God can forgive you?. Can you imagine that there is life beyond the grave? Can you imagine your child alive to God? Many cannot imagine ever being free from drugs or depression or loneliness or hoplessness or anger.

One of the most important ways to pray and meet God is by imagining the best that you can imagine and simply practice seeing others, the world, and yourself through the lens of the resurrection, that is, through the eyes of God who sees all and sees an unimaginably beautiful future for it all, all of nature and all people who are dare to believe and accept the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"-- 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

Today’s Prayer

“Lord, please help me to all of life as you see it. I don’t want to be a pessimist nor do I want simply to be optimistic as if my attitude were the foundation of life, rather I want to believe as my rock solid truth that Jesus is risen from the dead and that what God did in Jesus, He is doing for the world, and that includes even me and my little world. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen”