Jul

30

Until I went

By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off


 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God.  Psalm 73:16-17

I sat in the pews as if struck by lightening. All the people around me faded into a blur. The rest of the sermon sounded like background noise. One sentence spoken from the pulpit was all it took. A question I had, a deeply seated doubt, had been answered before I had found the time to really get down on my knees and ask it. From the lips of a man of God came the voice of God.  My angst melted into humbleness. God had reached down into my soul and touched me – again. 

And to think I had contemplated staying home that day because I was having one of those chronic pain days. Yet experience told me to go. How many times has Satan stepped on my back - yet I got up, got going and later found out why. Each time, God had an answer for me-in the hug of a friend, in the words of a hymn, in the midst of prayer, or from the pulpit. And each time, it humbled me to know He actually hears, cares and responds.

Our God is a creative God. He loves to act and interact through us imperfect humans. Sure, He can speak to us at anytime, but He calls us to come together for a purpose. United we are stronger. The Christian walk is going against the flow. We need to push forward arm in arm and with His help, help each other so we can in turn help others.  That is the purpose of coming into His sanctuary. 

Until I went, the deepest confines of my heart were still unrevealed. Until I went, I was not able to plainly hear His response. Until I went, I was not yet awed by His grace filling me with His presence and showing me how He can use others and myself to help Him touch lives.

This Sunday, get up and get to His sanctuary. Answers, comfort and strength await you. Who knows, something you do or say may be what the person in the next pew needs, or they may be just what you need. Go, and watch God in action.

Jul

29

Until We Proclaim

By Julie B Cosgrove | 1 Comment


 

courtesy Microsoft clipart

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.  Psalm 72:17-18

I deliver meals to the elderly and have worked in long care facilities. Over the years I  have seen two types.  There are those who slouch in chairs all day staring at the TV with a sense of loss in their gazes. Then there are those who, no matter their physical condition, still have a twinkle in their eyes and see each day as worth living.  The latter group trust in God and know that there is something better that awaits them after they abandon this earthly shell of pain and age. I admire them deeply and being near them makes my day better.

His light shines in each deep wrinkle and blue veined face. They have an energy about them, even if they can’t lift themselves out of their wheelchair.  They see opportunities instead of obstacles, little glimpses of joy instead of chronic pain. They have walked with God so long, He is their constant trusted friend, more present than their next breath.

I want to be like that, if God deems I live that long. On the days my back aches, I feel listless and tired, knowing these dear folk convicts me and encourages me.  Do you know someone like that? If you do, draw near to them. Thank them for their influence in your life. Let them know they have proclaimed His love to you, another generation.

I saw a bumper sticker that said “Aspire to inspire before you expire”.  Lord, may that be my motto from now until the time You carry me home. May I keep proclaiming You to another generation, and another, in my actions and words. Keep me as the apple of Your eye and continue to be the twinkle in mine. Amen.

Jul

29

No Background Checks

By Jan Ross | Comments Off


There’s a saying that many of us have probably heard more than once: “Once a thief, always a thief.”  Or, maybe you’ve heard “once a liar, always a liar!”  Although the word “thief” or “liar” could be substituted for any variety of sins, the statement is absolutely not true!

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of tthemselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

It actually doesn’t matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or who you are.  If you are, as today’s verse describes, washed, sanctified, and justified all in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God, then you are a new creation; old things are passed away, all things are become new. There is no background excluded, there is no case too hard, there are no exceptions!  As a matter of fact, there are no “background checks” when you approach God with a repentant and sorrowful heart.  His washing, His sanctification, His justification are complete, total, and available to everyone regardless of who they are or what they’ve done.

If you are plagued by your past sins, feeling less than “worthy” of God’s love, then meditate on today’s verse and allow it to become alive in your heart. Grab hold of God’s truth and allow it to change your life.

You’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God.  You’ve been washed, justified, sanctified, and made whole.  You stand clean before Your God, not because of who you are or are not, not because of how good you’ve been or haven’t been, but because of the shed of the Spotless Lamb whose blood made atonement for you.

There is no sin too great to escape God’s great mercy and love, and the cleansing power of the Blood.  Hallelujah – Praise the Lord!

Father, thank you for the assurance in Your Word that I am free from the sin in my past and that I’ve become a new creature, washed, sanctified, justified and whole. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see. Thank you, Lord … for Your Amazing Grace! Amen!

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Jul

28

Least Expected

By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off


Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man.  Judges 3:15 

This begins the one of those gory Old Testament tales. But what is significant is who God chose to deliver His people. A left-handed Benjaminite. To be a Benjaminite was to be in the least powerful of the tribes, the one with the least territory and power. It was like being voted the least likely to succeed. To be left-handed meant you were to be an outcast. Left hands were unclean, so left-handed people were unclean. Cleanliness was next to godliness for the Israelites.  So, God chose an outcast from the weakest link to be the deliver for His people from their enemies, the powerful,idol worshiping Moabites.

Scripture doesn’t tells us the man Jesus was tall, dark or handsome. He was ordinary looking ( John 9:16). Moses was a studderer, Jacob was described as a “plain man”, David the youngest and a shepherd. Joseph was bullied by his brothers and a dreamer. Paul was not easy on the eyes either. God takes the ordinary, often the least expected, and does mighty things. His miracle is transforming lives.

Through God, you can grow in strength, if you rely on Him and have faith. You can have courage to step out of your box and do what He asks of you. You may not see much results (and perhaps neither will others close to you), but in His timing and at His command, the least expected act can be the mustard seed that grows a tall sturdy tree.

Never buy into the negative that you are not worthy, or smart enough,  or pretty enough, or good enough to be used by God. And don’t discount the lowly Benjaminites He brings into your life.  With Christ as our strength, who or what can stand against us? Ehud obeyed and became bold enough to be used by God. Will you?

Jul

28

New and Living Way

By Jan Ross | Comments Off


The study of the Old Testament tabernacle is one of the most fascinating studies I’ve ever embarked on. It’s a revelation of Jesus Christ as He can be seen from the front gate to the innermost chamber, the Holy of Holies.

The Old Testament priests could only enter the Holy of Holies one time a year, on the Day of Atonement when they took the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkled it on the Mercy Seat. Hallelujah, the veil is rent . . . the veil of Jesus’ flesh was torn . . . and now we have a “new and living way” which our Lord made for us!

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20)

The Word of God is full of treasures and this particular scripture is no exception! The phrase “new and living way” contains a revelation that will further explain today’s verse.

Three different Greek words are translated as “new” in the New Testament. First, the Greek word neos actually means new but similar. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).

Next, the Greek word kainos actually means new but different. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Finally, we have the Greek word prosphatos which actually means freshly slain or newly dead. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20)

Each Greek word tells a specific story, but the last word, prosphatos, gives us a wonderful picture of this “new and living way” by which we can go through the veil! Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the new and living way – the freshly slain Sacrifice Lamb that was dead and is now alive! His flesh was torn, He was slain, and now He is the Living Way!

John 14:6 says, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In other words, He is telling us that He is the Way – the New and Living Way – the Lamb slain that was dead and is now alive, and no man can come to the Father, no one can enter through the veil, except through Him – the New and Living Way! Hallelujah!

Father, Your Word is so rich! It is so exciting to see the Word confirm itself over and over and over again as we gain greater understanding through our study and prayerful research! Thank You, Father, for the New and Living Way made for me to enter into Your presence, to sit at Your feet, to learn of You, and to honor You in worship and adoration. Continue to teach me as I share with others the good news that we have a “New and Living Way” made ready for us to enjoy sweet fellowship with the Most High God of all Creation! In Jesus’ name, by His blood, for His glory . . . amen and amen!

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

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