Oct2 THE BREAD OF PRESENCE: OUR FAMILY IN HEAVEN
OVERFLOWING WITH GRATITUDE!
A Verse to Remember:
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:18
Gospel Story: Acts 10:9-16 Peters Rooftop Vision
Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-7 The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. 2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.
3 But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. 4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 That is why, when Christ[a] came into the world, he said to God,“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer.6 You were not pleased with burnt offeringsor other offerings for sin.7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”
Reflection:
Our entire family God is connected to the Heavenly realm. The Bread of the Presence is often understood as a thank you sign for God’s provision for each tribe of Israel, God’s “Family”. In Christ let’s go even a step further, in heaven our families are forever present to the heart of God!
I remember when my children were young God gave me a vision. Abbey was riding her horse covered in the glory of God. The next moment she was in a stall putting a horse shoe on her beloved animal friend, still covered in the glory. Next I saw Bronte, chewing on her clothes. This used to drive me crazy as Bronte would ruin good clothes by sucking and chewing on them. But there she was in the vision, doing the very thing that so annoyed me, chewing her clothes and covered in the Glory of God. Lastly was Mia. A fan of Dora the Explorer I saw Mia playing with a Dora doll covered in the Glory. What did I gleam from this moment with God? God gave me a promise from Heaven that I will never forget, no matter what my kids did on earth, I can trust them to Him. In Heaven, God has my family, God has your family too. Our families matter so much to God, God gives us a picture of a reality in heaven… the Bread of the Presence is a constant reminder that our entire family, while on earth is also in heaven. Our families belong to God and belong in His Presence —they all have a place with God in Heaven! The very thought to this day floods my spirit and I “overflow with gratitude” - much like in Ephesians 3:214-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (NRSV)