Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)
Exploring the Text: Finding eternal life
Tomorrow is the funeral service for a fellow church member and dear family friend. In reading her obituary, one can find out a lot about her wonderful life. She was a girl scout leader for over 20 years. She was a mom, grandmother, and a Great-grandmother. The best thing about her life was that she loved God with all her heart. When her cancer diagnosis came down a couple of years ago, her number one response was that maybe this would lead her grandchildren to Christ. I cannot help but imagine that she is now enjoying Heaven. Sorrows and pain are over. She has eternal life.
This passage is very clear. John says that eternal life is found in Jesus. He further states that if we have Jesus, we have eternal life; plain and simple. He wrote these very words to encourage those who believe in the Son of God as their Savior.
Many people have placed stipulations on being a Christian or going to Heaven. You have probably heard some of them. Some feel that you have to be a member of a certain church. Others can give you a dress code. Still others, will preach a code of conduct that, if not conformed to, means that you are not a Christian. (However, if you are a Christian, truly following Christ, he will guide you concerning all of these things.)
The truth of the matter is that Christians can be of all different shapes and sizes. They have different opinions, political parties, likes and dislikes. The one thing that all Christians have in common is that they have Christ in their hearts. When it comes to the end of life, as with my friend, that is all that matters.
Are you following Christ today? If so, you can be encouraged in knowing that your eternity is already taken care of. You have an inheritance that is greater than your mind can comprehend. If not, today offers the perfect opportunity to make a decision for Christ, so that you can also enjoy eternity in heaven and be able to meet my friend.
Rick Heinrich
Tomorrow is the funeral service for a fellow church member and dear family friend. In reading her obituary, one can find out a lot about her wonderful life. She was a girl scout leader for over 20 years. She was a mom, grandmother, and a Great-grandmother. The best thing about her life was that she loved God with all her heart. When her cancer diagnosis came down a couple of years ago, her number one response was that maybe this would lead her grandchildren to Christ. I cannot help but imagine that she is now enjoying Heaven. Sorrows and pain are over. She has eternal life.
This passage is very clear. John says that eternal life is found in Jesus. He further states that if we have Jesus, we have eternal life; plain and simple. He wrote these very words to encourage those who believe in the Son of God as their Savior.
Many people have placed stipulations on being a Christian or going to Heaven. You have probably heard some of them. Some feel that you have to be a member of a certain church. Others can give you a dress code. Still others, will preach a code of conduct that, if not conformed to, means that you are not a Christian. (However, if you are a Christian, truly following Christ, he will guide you concerning all of these things.)
The truth of the matter is that Christians can be of all different shapes and sizes. They have different opinions, political parties, likes and dislikes. The one thing that all Christians have in common is that they have Christ in their hearts. When it comes to the end of life, as with my friend, that is all that matters.
Are you following Christ today? If so, you can be encouraged in knowing that your eternity is already taken care of. You have an inheritance that is greater than your mind can comprehend. If not, today offers the perfect opportunity to make a decision for Christ, so that you can also enjoy eternity in heaven and be able to meet my friend.
Rick Heinrich