WHERE “MOST” ARE WE INSIDE GOD’S SANCTUARY?
If we walk into a church on a Tuesday or a Thursday or even at the end of the week on a Saturday, will we sense God there, in our midst, inside the place of worship?
When we step into the worship center on a Sunday morning or when we attend midweek for Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meeting, will we sense God there, in our midst?
- Should we crawl out of bed while the sky remains dark, pulling out our Bible to study His teachings—
OR
- Should we lie in bed until daylight, tie on our shoes and step outside, to study God’s teachings found in His creation—
The Question Remains: Where are we “most” within God’s sanctuary?
Are we inside God’s sanctuary:
- When we are all alone inside the church building on a day of the week not typically associated with worship?
- When we are present with other believers who have attended church as we have on Sunday or Wednesday?
- When we make a cup of coffee, take up God’s Word, and seek God in the dark of the early morning?
- When we lace up our walking shoes or put on our hunting clothes and step outside into the quiet of the day?
WHERE “MOST” ARE WE INSIDE GOD’S SANCTUARY?
WHERE WILL WE FIND GOD WHEN WE SEEK HIM AS WE SHOULD?
In the book designated for the numbering, for the census of the congregation of the sons of Israel, of the counting of God’s people, the author of Numbers was led by God to write:
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
(Numbers 23: 19 NASB)
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
Last night during our regular Wednesday night Bible study, we were studying the fourth and fifth chapters of The Revelation to John, discussing questions such as:
What does it mean to you that the power of God’s kingdom resides in you?
&
How does Jesus exercise His kingly rule through you and your life?
&
Where is your place of worship?
One young man in our group (a college-age student) spoke of past hunting journeys, mornings when he stepped into the forest early before daylight, and the way the LORD’S creation came alive at the first glimmer of light. We discussed the presence of God & How He desires to lead us through our lives & WHERE “MOST” ARE WE INSIDE GOD’S SANCTUARY?
On the day Jesus willingly gave His life on the cross to prepare the way we can be saved, to make the way for us to come to know God, through Jesus Christ the Savior and Messiah, there were two other criminals being crucified that same day for heinous crimes they had previously committed. One criminal was rebuking Jesus, even as all three were hanged that day; however, one criminal felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit for the sins he had committed and sought the Lord’s forgiveness.
“One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying,
(The Gospel According to Luke 23: 39-43 NASB)
“Are You not the Christ?
Save Yourself and us!”
But the other answered, and rebuking him said,
“Do you not even fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
And we indeed are suffering justly,
for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds;
but this man has done nothing wrong.”
And he was saying,
“Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
And He said to him,
[Christ Jesus, the Messiah, said]
“Truly I say to you,
today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
- Truly, God does not lie!
- Whether we are alive or dead, if we have given our heart to Jesus, we are present with the Lord!
- Yes, Christ Jesus is God in the flesh!
- Most assuredly, Jesus is the Son of God & the son of man!
WHERE IS GOD’S SANCTUARY?
- It is not just when we step into the church building.
- It is not just when we step into the regular worship service each week.
- It is when we are out walking in the cool of the morning.
- It is when we are curled up and reading God’s Holy Word.
- It is when we are driving along a roadway.
- It is when we are enjoying coffee with our best friend.
- It is when we are taking a meal to someone who is sick.
- It is when we are hugging another who is experiencing anguish.
IT IS WHENEVER & WHEREVER WE ARE—THE CHILDREN OF GOD!
GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT, HIS SANCTUARY, RESIDES INSIDE US, WITHIN US, GOING WITH US!
“God is not a man, that He should lie, . . .”
[Christ Jesus, the Messiah, said]
“Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Our soul never dies, only our earthly body.
Whether we choose cremation or burial, it really does not matter—for our soul lives on—immediately transported to the place we have chosen: Paradise, in Heaven with God OR
In Hell with Satan.
So, in retrospect, since we know how we carry Jesus within us, wherever we go, let us be mindfully aware—How we choose to live each day—AS THE SANCTUARY OF GOD GOES WITH US!
“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 14: 7-9 NASB)
for if we live, we live for the Lord,
or if we die, we die for the Lord;
therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ died and lived again,
that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”