Loving Grace

Romans 8:35-39 VOICE
So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing. As the psalm says,

    On Your behalf, our lives are endangered constantly;
    we are like sheep awaiting slaughter.

But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us. For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord.

This is what unconditional love looks like. This is what grace looks like. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. There is not an entity or force in the world to take you away, to separate you from living in the fullness of God’s love for you. It doesn’t mean that life is perfect and there won’t be things that try to push you away from or doubt the love of God, because there will be. But we can rest assured in the love of God. As Paul says, “No matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us.” Jesus has won, he has conquered death and as we follow him and rest in His love for us, we also get to share the love of God with our families, friends, neighbors and communities.

We’re going to take some time and I will read the scripture again 3 times. As you listen, take not of what the Holy Spirit is pointing out to you. If you can, write down and words or phrases that stick out to you without judgement. When we’re done reading take some time and to respond and pray about what you’re hearing from him, or what you’re feeling, good or bad, what makes you want to push back or think about. After take some time to sit quietly in the presence of God and allow time for the word to sink deeply into your soul.

Lectio Divina Practice
As you walk through the Lectio Divina today, read the scripture above and meditate on it, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you.

1. Silencio: Come into God’s presence. Quietly prepare your heart to meet with and hear from Him.  Slow down, relax, release the noisy thoughts that crowd your mind over to him.

2. Lectio: Read the scripture above slowly and out loud, let words resonate with you. Be aware of words that stick out to you. When a word or phrase grabs your attention, stop reading. Sit with it. Open your hearts to what God is saying to you. Underline the phrase, make notes of what you’re hearing. Don’t analyze it or judge it. Listen and wait.

3. Meditatio: Meditate. Read the Scripture a second time out loud. Savor the words. Listen for any invitation that God is extending to you in this word. Reflect on the importance of the words that light up to you.

4. Oratio: Respond, pray. Read the Scripture a third time. Now is the moment to enter into a personal conversation with God. There is no right or wrong way to do this. The important thing is to respond truthfully and authentically. What feelings has the text brought about in you? Talk about where you are feeling resistant or want to push back, and of where you feel invited into a deeper way of being with God.

5. Contemplatio: Contemplate, rest and wait in the presence of God. Allow some time for the word to sink deeply into your soul. Yield and surrender yourself to God. Before you leave, you might consider a reminder that can help you dwell on this word throughout the day.

Family Moments 
Read Romans 8:35-39 together. There is absolutely nothing that can keep us away from God. What can keep people apart from each other? None of those things apply to us and God! There is nothing that we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less! That’s good news!