Wherever We Go

In this past Sunday's sermon our Pastor taught on how wherever we go we are the temple of God and we bring the Holy Spirit with us.  In the past, the temple was stationary.  It remained in Jerusalem and God's people had to go there to make sacrifice for sin, bring offerings and meet with the Lord.  Jesus changed all that.  He made the ultimate, all-encompassing, eternal, omnipresent sacrifice for sin.  This redemption was now available anywhere, anytime, for everyone. 

No longer do we have to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to make peace with the Lord.  In fact, the Temple was destroyed around AD 70.  The option for redemption through that method has been taken away.  But our God has made a better way.  Jesus!

Not only do we not have to make repeat sacrifices over and over and over, we now carry the Holy Spirit with us wherever we go.  This message was repeated to me in our BSF study this week.  We were studying in Zechariah 1 where we see the Israelites stalled in their efforts to build the Lord a new temple.  They did just enough to get by.  What grace is afforded us as Christians to not have to rebuild a special place to meet with God.  What grace that we don't have to offer sacrifice after sacrifice, but can be cleansed by the one time sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1 Peter 2:5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 7:24-28  But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.  26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

We are fully forgiven forever because of Jesus.  We can bring this message and power wherever we go because we are the temple of His Holy Spirit.  How amazing is this?  Isn't it crazy that the simplest of messages can actually be so incredibly deep and heart changing.  It really is something most of us know, but so often we don't give a thought to as we wander through our day.  I want to ask myself, "How can I be the temple of God here where I am and let His Presence shine through in the moment?"  

Lord, remind us how we are Your temple and bring Your Presence wherever we go.  Let us not be forgetful readers.  James 1 22-24 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  Lord, it's so easy to get caught up in the physical world and forget Your great spiritual truths.  I so often do this and I am sorry.  Lead us in Your ways.  We love You.  In the Name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Amen.  

Next week I will be away on a mission trip to Peru.  Please pray for God to be shining through those of us who are going and for a fruitful trip, safety as well.  Let us be a blessing wherever we go.  Thank you!  Oh, and this is my first ever mission trip out of the country!  Pray I honor God!  

What We Own-Joint Heirs

I heard a song on the radio a few days ago called "Stand in Your Love" by Josh Baldwin.  Now, I've heard this song many, many times.  I've always liked it.  It's a good, uplifting and encouraging song.  But this time one of the lines really stood out to me.  It's like that sometimes!  Like you never heard it before.  

 When darkness tries to roll over my bones

 When sorrow comes to steal the joy I own

 When brokenness and pain is all I know

 Oh, I won't be shaken, no, I won't be shaken

[Chorus] 

Cause my fear doesn't stand a chance

When I stand in Your love

My fear doesn't stand a chance

When I stand in Your love

My fear doesn't stand a chance

When I stand in Your love!

Oh, shame no longer has a place to hide

And I am not a captive to the lies

Oh, I'm not afraid to leave my past behind

Oh, I won't be shaken, no, I won't be shaken!

[Chorus]

My fear doesn't stand a chance                                                                                                

When I stand in Your love

My fear doesn't stand a chance

When I stand in Your love

My fear doesn't stand a chance

When I stand in Your love!

Look at that second line.  It's what we OWN.  We don't borrow the joy Christ gave us.  We OWN it.  So I got to thinking, what more do we own?  The Bible tells us that we are joint-heirs with Jesus, so I'm thinking we own a lot!!  John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Romans 8:17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

I'll make a short list of what we own because we share it with Jesus.  His glory (Romans 8:17) His suffering (Romans 8:17).  His peace (John 14:27), His grace (John 1:17), His love (John 16:27) , eternal life (John 10:28), every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), His strength (Ephesians 4:13), new creation status and a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17).  I could go on and on about what we own in Christ Jesus.  But I think you get the picture.  

I want to celebrate this!  I find it exciting to think about these things in this new way.  We were given so many gifts by our loving Savior.  So often I go through the day forgetful of these blessings, kind of like a kid with a new toy...a few days or a couple of weeks after Christmas, the new toy they were so excited about is forgotten.  But Lord forgive me!  I don't want to be like that.  

Lord, You have given us so so many wonderful gifts, we have the most amazing inheritance in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Let us celebrate these things every day.  Thank You for speaking to me through this song.  I love the way You do that!  

Romans 8:17  And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering
 

John 4:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

John 16:27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.

John 10:28  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,

Ephesians 1:3  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Flurries!

I went for a walk today and when I started out it there wass just a little bit of snow flurries coming down.  This was a sweet time of prayer as I walked, and as I walked on the flurries started coming down a little heavier.  It was beautiful!  

As I was praying the Lord reminded me of Isaiah 55:10-11 came to mind.  “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

What a wonderful reminder that when we pray and especially when we pray God's Word, it will not return void.  We are not just speaking into space our wishes and hopes, but communicating our deep needs and the needs of others to a Father who loves us, and who is all powerful, all knowing and infinitely able to answer the needs of each and every prayer uttered.  I love this!  What a great God visit today.

Thank You Lord !  The snow was beautiful as it fell, peaceful and serene, but more importantly it reminded me of Your promises.  

God Has A Plan

Isaiah 55:8-9   “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.   9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Perhaps you've heard this passage before.  Perhaps even quoted it to yourself or others.  For comfort.  For understanding or acknowledging the sovereignty, wisdom and prominence of God.  This passage lets us know that God doesn't think or act in the ways we do.  He is so far outside our realm of imagination, thought, or understanding and His plans are infinitely better than ours could ever be.  He takes in every detail, not just of us but of the whole of humankind and history to work out His perfect will and dominion.  He takes into account the large sweep of humanity as well as the tiniest dot of our lives and weaves them together to fit His loving and wonderful agenda for all. 

There are a few things I've been praying about for a long time.  I've yet to see the answers I want.  I feel as if I  haven't seen changes or improvement yet. A little here, a little there....slow seems to be a quick way to describe the wait.  But our Father has once again provided the encouragement I need to hang in there and keep up the prayer, the obedience (I could do a little better here for sure!) and to just continue to wait on Him.  

This was our last week in Esther for our Bible Study Fellowship curriculum.  We've seen the evil Haman plat the annilation of the Jewish people in the Persian kingdom.  We saw an edict go out from King 
Xerxes that on a certain date, all the Jews were to be killed and their property seized.  One of the heroes of our story steps in to approach the king for the relief of her people.  Queen Esther, at the peril of her life seeks the king's help to deliver her kinsmen.   Unfortunately, the king's edict that he had put in place could not be reversed.

But God....

Esther sought the king to change his mind.  God had something different, something bigger and better, in mind.  He had a plan of deliverance, but it would come in a way that she didn't see.  He would use the Jewish people to annihilate their enemies AND save their lives.  God's plan not only saved them, but it also caused them to be safe from those who would have continued to desire their demise.  It also brought many converts to the Hebrew way of life, thus saving more people that may never have sought the One true God.  Haman, his family, and likeminded countrymen were killed, taking out the threat to the captive Hebrew nation, and by extension, us, because the lineage of Christ was perserved.  Hallelujah!  God is amazing!  

Being in this book has been wonderful and so timely for me.  There has been so much of God's hand to see in a book that never mentions Him by Name.  He has reached out in comfort, encouragement and direction time after time as I've gone through this book again.  I highly recommend you spend time reading and meditating on it.  

Lord, I can't express the gratitude that wells up in my heart for the tenderloving care You bring to each of Your children.  We are often so lost and stumble through our days wondering when it will change and when deliverance will come.  We hold so tightly to our picture of redemption and help that we miss Your beautifully perfect plan and lose the peace of resting in You.  Help us to go beyond our ideas, plans and feelings to trust and wait for Your timing and Your solutions.  We love You and know there is no better way than Your way.  And please Lord, let us have the boldness and humility of Esther.   It's in the Name of our loving Savior I ask this, Amen.  

Esther  8 On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related. 2 The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s property.  3 Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. 4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him.  5 Esther said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king’s provinces should be destroyed. 6 For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?”  7 Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews. 8 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.”  9 So on June 25 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of the empire, including that of the Jews. 10 The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king’s service.  11 The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. 12 The day chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was March 7 of the next year.  13 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day. 14 So urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa.  15 Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. 16 The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. 17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.

Taking Notice

In our Bible Study Fellowship group we've been studying the Exile and Return of the Jews during ancient times.  The Bible tells us the story of Israel's reign and fall in disobedience to God, and their exile to Assyria and Babylon in ancient times.  

Part of our study has brought us through the books of Ezra and Esther.  Both these books show the hand and purposes of God at work in His rebellious children and in the history of mankind.  

Of Ezra we are told that he was a man well-versed in Scripture.  And because of this Ezra was able to see the hand of God at work in his circumstances and the circumstances of the exiled Israel nation.  In Esther, although God is never mentioned by Name, we see His hand in each detail and circumstance in the lives of Mordecai and Esther.  

This got me to thinking, how often do I actively and attentively look for God's action in my day.  It's a goal of mine to become more aware of this each day.  Lately it's been fun to see God's touches and I am enjoying seeking to see His loving care more and more. 

Since I had been so neglectful of my spiritual life during the holiday season, it was good to see God's admonishment to get back to what I'm supposed to be doing.  In our BSF lecture recently I was reminded that "anytime spent in God's Word is never wasted."  Also, the more I learn about God, the more I am able to see His movement in my life.  My dedication to Him and His Word enable me to recognize His hand on my life.  

Next up, a few visits from the book of Luke.  Luke 8:18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.

Not only is it important to be in the Word, it's important to be listening and paying attention to what I am reading.  Am I listening attentively and with the will to be obedient to what I hear?

In Luke 9:62 we are warned against looking back.  But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”  Have we put our hand to the plow, made the commitment to Jesus and serving Him?  Then why do I so often look back at the past with regret, longing, or a sense of being defined by it instead of by the truth of belonging to my Savior?  

Part of my holiday blues came from a sense of hopelessness due to unanswered prayer.   I pray so often for myself to change.  And when I see myself making the same mistakes over and over, I get frustrated and discouraged.  Someone sweet gave me a lovely birthday gift of a Christian journal, but the thing was it came in a bag that quoted Jeremiah 29:11.   For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

And here's a visit that showed me God's assurance as well as His sense of humor.  Yesterday my friend and I went on a hike.  It was a new place that we hadn't been to before so I was very excited to go.  Well, it turned out to be a little more difficult than we thought it would be.  There were narrow pathways along ledges, some steep inclines where we actually had to hold onto a cable and go down on our backsides.  Some slippery places. Whew!  When we got down one particularly challenging area I need to blow my nose, lol.  I took out my tissues.  They were in this little package that I had received as a gift.  And on the little tissue holder it said "God is with her, she will not fall."  LOL  Could anything be any closer to answering my fears on this hike!!

Gifts, tissue holders, teachings, and the Bible.  Just a few of the many ways God reaches in our day to show His love, direction and Presence.  It just takes a bit of determined awareness to see Him in action.  

Lord, open our eyes that we may see!!!