Devotion
There is plenty of room for everyone!
David Jacobs
What do you imagine when you picture paradise? Most of us probably imagine a scene from a movie or cartoon, with angels flying around playing harps, and a gigantic human-like man with a beard that is God. The same can be said for hell: a red devil running around with a pitchfork surrounded by flames. Obviously I have no idea whether or not these depictions are accurate and honestly, they are of no importance to me at all. In fact, I believe that these depictions are a disservice, taking away from the more important aspects of the Heavenly Kingdom. Remember this: there is plenty of room in Heaven for all of us. Christ is waiting for us and has shown us the way. However, we should not forget another point: there is also plenty of room in hell.
The Heavenly Paradise that the disciples often describe, as the important theologian Thomas Aquinas once noted, though often given human shape or proportion, is beyond anything we are capable of imagining. How heaven and hell look is not what we should be focusing on. What Christ says about the Heavenly Kingdom is important. Do not be troubled, do not be afraid; God is waiting and has made a place for us in Heaven. Christ lived to give us an example, so that each and everyone who lifts theirs heart up to the Lord and follows in Christ's footsteps shall be welcomed. Thanks be to God.
Prayer
My God Almighty, I bask in the knowledge that you shall welcome us to Heaven, knowing that I have a place next to you. How lucky I am, your lowly servant, clearly unworthy of such blessing! I shall do everything I can, O Lord above, to repay the debt that I owe you, a debt that all of existence owes you for sacrificing your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may live forever. In his Holy name I pray, Amen.
Night Prayer
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Inspiration
Our ability to manage a household reflects our strength in governing our church home. We need our spiritual affairs to be in order as we conduct business within our homes. We must show spiritual leadership when managing finances, making plans, or disciplining our children; because we attribute these same skills in the way we manage our church budget, coordinate events, or discipline those who wander away from the Word.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for the gift of a church home. We love our personal and spiritual family and will take the necessary steps to manage both areas of our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
