My precious, unsophisticated (by society's standards) mom got on a plane one time in her lifetime and flew to Israel.
There, with likeminded friends, she got to experience the places where her master had walked during His earthly life.
Hearing her tell about it and watching her expressions made me want to visit there also.
I have never made it to Israel and doubt that I will get to since international traveling has become difficult for me--BUT,
this I know--
Worship is not about a place but a person--
This quote is taken from today's Lenten reading at Redeemer.com--
"When the temple curtain split at the death of Christ (Mark 15:38), the barrier between God and humanity came down for everyone. Jesus became the “house of prayer for all nations.” Today there is no need to travel to the temple in Jerusalem to worship. Nor is there any distinction between Jewish and Gentile worshippers. Worship is no longer attached to a place, but a person. Jesus is the temple. He is where we meet God."
Jesus is the temple.
He is where we meet God.
This is not to say that we shouldn't go to Jerusalem to experience what my mom did--but only to say that we can experience all of that and more right where we are!
Sitting right here on the left hand side of my sofa in my living room, I meet with the Master of the Universe, I experience his presence and bask in His love.
I pray today that you, too, meet with God through our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Sitting right here on the left hand side of my sofa in my living room, I meet with the Master of the Universe, I experience his presence and bask in His love.
I pray today that you, too, meet with God through our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Father,
We come before you today to ask your blessings on Jerusalem and all of Israel.
We pray that in the days ahead you will burden our hearts more and more for Israel and teach us how to pray.
In your Word we are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and we know that you are peace--the only true peace comes from you--
We pray that you would protect Israel from those who would want to destroy her, who would want this country wiped from the face of the map.
When her enemies stretch forth their bows, may their arrows fall short--Psalm 58:7b
And not only that, Lord, but we pray that her enemies would have miraculous encounters with you--we pray that You would make Yourself real to them in visions and dreams, in encounters that we cannot even imagine.
Thank you so much for the readers of this blog from that part of the world. Be gracious and compassionate towards them, Lord, and enrich their lives abundantly with the knowledge of You.
Thank you for the power of prayer.
All things we ask in the name of Jesus,
Amen
Here is your link to the daily Lenten devotional from Redeemer Presbyterian. It is another really good one! |
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