Praising God for THE CHURCH, THE PLACE!

 

As I was reading Isaiah this morning I was thinking about SOUTH MEMORIAL, the CHURCH BUILDING. I hope my vision of this wonderful church never changes. When I pull on to the road leading back to the church and see the white cross before me, I am in awe that God has placed me here. When I walk into the sanctuary for morning prayer, my shoulders slump, and I get this overwhelming feeling that I am not worthy to even step inside that place. Today, when I get the opportunity to pray with those coming to the FOOD PANTRY and CLOTHING CLOSET, I will feel his presence in that SPECIAL PLACE.  

I pray that you have a PLACE, a CHURCH BUILDING, to call home that invokes a feeling of awe and reverence. I know it is JUST a BUILDING and the real church is found in the PEOPLE who attend and worship there, but I do not think there is anything wrong with being in awe of the place where GOD'S PEOPLE GATHER. 

IN the OLD TESTAMENT the people of the NATION of ISRAEL had that same kind of reverence and AWE of the TEMPLE. That BUILDING prompted Isaiah to write this:

"In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of all -- the most important PLACE on earth. It will be raised about the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths.' For the Lord's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:2-3, NLT, Emphasis added)

I love the PLACE I have been assigned to worship and lead God's people. It is precious to me. It may not have the splendor and glory like Solomon's TEMPLE, but God is there, none the less. I want nothing more than for people to know when they come to THE HOUSE OF THE LORD called SOUTH MEMORIAL, they will receive teaching about God's ways. I want them to know they will get the LORD'S TEACHING and that teaching will prompt them to LEAVE and GO into all the world, preaching the Gospel. 

Lord, Thank you for the joy of serving you at the place of South Memorial. I praise you for this gift, this light shining in our community. I thank you for the WHITE CROSS that shines day and night, letting everyone know what we stand for. I praise you for the opporutnities we have to impact out community through your word. Lord may I never take it for granted. Thank you Lord! Amen!