We will be going to church this morning - first time since we made the commitment to make this church (for sure) our church home. It's multi-cultural in the sense that it is full of blacks and whites, some more than others, depending on which service you go to. We have a black senior pastor. To us, as long as he is full of the Holy Spirit, that is all that matters, no matter what color one is. There are good people and there are bad people, no matter what color they are. We don't look at the color to qualify them. We look at the heart.
Today, also, we will be meeting the couple who will be leading our small group. As I mentioned previously, it sounds like (at least) our leaders ae on fire for Jesus and the Word, and that excites me. I'm looking forward to meeting them. We've probably seen them before as it was mentioned they work in the sound booth some Sundays and we usually sit to the right of the sound booth (which is at the back of the church) towards the back. Yeah, couldn't get hubby to go up further, which is odd. Every church we've attended over the years, he always insisted we sit up near the front - like the second or third row! But at least we have decided on a church now, and where we sit is fine.
Have a full day planned for today and then tomorrow evening. Totally unlike our usual schedule of church and sit around the house. No, I didn't get the bed cleaned off yesterday. I did make a couple dishes to take today to the cookout, but other than that, just finished working on baby blanket and watched movies. Going to bed around 10PM I had hopes again of sleeping a little later, but alas, 4AM the mind awakes, and no matter how I try to go back to sleep, it won't let me. I don't know what some days I wake up and can't stay awake, and other days I can't go back to sleep. I wanted to sleep this morning, but my mind sure wasn't letting me - and I wasn't even thinking of anything! Ever have those times?
I read an interesting paragraph in the book "In Pursuit of His Glory" by Gerald Fry that I am reading. I read this book many years ago and was drawn to it again to read. Here is what it says:
"The church was not created for our needs. It was created to be a redeemed, reconciled family of believers to fulfill God's purpose! But our Outer Court ministry is dependent on the Inner Court ministry, so God puts His priority in the Inner Court. When we neglect this ministry we cannot hope to meet the challenges of life and enable people to access God's grace in their lives."
It may not make sense to some of you, but I totally get it. So many times churches get so focused on doing things for people, taking care of the people's needs, they totally neglect the Inner Court of being with God. The Inner Court is where we need to always be. The Inner Court is where we get renewed and refreshed in the Spirit of the Living God. It is where Jesus is our focus and all our worship and adoration is centered on Him. In reality, being in the Inner Court should always be our heart goal. To open ourselves up to worship and adore the One who loves us and wants us so very close to Him.
Remember in the Biblical times that the tabernacle had the inner court and the outer court? People could not go past the outer court as the curtain was there. Only priests were allowed in the inner court. Jesus, when He died on the cross, ripped that curtain from top to bottom and opened the way that people such as you aned I, can come into the Inner Court with Him. Such a precious gift and one not to be taken lightly.
When the Tabernacle was recreated and brought to a city nearby and I was able to go through it, an incident happened that has stuck with me. There were several of us walking through the tabernacle, led by a priest in their priestly robes. This woman started sobbing. Not just tears flowing down her cheeks, but real sobbing. When asked what was wrong, she responded, "I am a Jew, and as a woman, I would never have been allowed to see the Inner Court of the Lord. Today, because of Jesus, I can come to the Inner Court and worship." That comment really made an impact on me and has stayed with me. There is such great joy in coming to the Inner Court of the Lord and worshipping Him.
You can create your own 'Inner Court' by pulling away from distraction and turn your attention to Jesus. Spend some time with Him, tell Him what you are feeling, what your needs are, what you want from Him. Tell Him of your confusion, your troubles, your weakness. Ask Him to make you strong. Ask Him for His blessings of provision. His blessings of healing. Just close your eyes and turn your thoughts to Jesus, and rest in Him. There is nothing like it.
I have always loved this song, and many times I have sung it with tears flowing down my face. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." There is nothing like being in the Presence of Jesus, and looking full in His wonderful face. I pray you find His Presence.
Blessings!
