Tag: communion with God

What Matters, Today?

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, THE LORD'S DAY (SABBATH)4 Comments

This question should be asked every day. If we have trouble understanding what matters every day, we may want to start with what matters on the first day of the week. What matters to Jesus, the Lord that we follow? What mattered to His first disciples?

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.” Matthew 28:1

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.” Mark 16:1-2

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” Luke 24:1

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.” John 20:1

“[Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.” Mark 16:9

Thinking Jesus was still dead, Mary Magdalene and others came to the tomb on the first Lord’s Day to anoint Him with the spices they had prepared.
Now that He is risen and sits as our High Priest at the Father’s right hand ~ our Prophet, Priest, and King ~ it matters what we bring Him on this day.

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“So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”John 20:9

It matters to Jesus that we plan the Lord’s Day with Him.

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“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.” Acts 20:7

It matters that we gather with other believers to receive His Word and the Lord’s Supper ~ the meal He planned for us before His crucifixion. (Hebrews 10:25)

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“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

It matters that we bring our tithes and offerings into the storehouse for the ministry of His kingdom here on earth. (Malachi 3:10)

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 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,
and I heard behind me a loud voice
like the sound of a trumpet,”  
Revelation 1:10

Though John was exiled to the isle of Patmos because of his testimony of Jesus, he was with the Lord.
It matters that we are in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day to hear His voice and experience personal fellowship with Him.

Our Lord Jesus Christ desires fellowship with us every day, but especially today. He came to us, died to take upon Himself our sin, to reconcile us and open the doors of heaven for us to be with Him and the Father.

Can we see Him waiting on this appointed day for us? Does it matter that we must be about the Father’s business on the Lord’s Day? Do we long for this day every week? Do we enjoy fellowship with HIm above everything else?

When we know what matters to the Lord on His Day, we will understand what matters every day of the week. Continual communion with our Lord is the means of Life to those who love, obey, and follow Him.

Dear Father, it is by your grace that you have sent your Holy Spirit to us for new life in Christ. For your glory and His, work in us daily in preparation for each Lord’s Day. Separate us to yourself in Him and enable us to hear His voice and live in worship and praise every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran

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The Things at Hand

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, PRAYERLeave a comment

As usual, on the days that I write, I lay, awake early this morning, with many thoughts, mostly of the Lord, His kingdom and His work here on earth and my part in it. Then an article came to mind, along with one of the books I am writing on grief. (My sister-in-law died last week after a three-week bout with cancer; the same thing that happened with my dad twenty years ago; in the same house.)

clark-ed-farmer-s-strong-work-toughened-hands-planting-in-the-gardenAt the conclusion of  the thoughts about where I should be spending my time, and using my hands, I came to thoughts of this article. Other than my primary and most important role and position; my duty and joy as Jerry’s wife and caregiver, I use my hands for other things. It is not often that I take seriously how I use my hands and for what purposes.

I am reminded of my daughter-in-law’s ministry to her father who recently had a stroke. Several years ago his right fingers were severed in a piece of farm machinery. He now has to learn to put his left thumb and finger together, so that he can use his left hand again. He is dependent on his daughter, her family, and medical assistance to help him regain his hold on life. I’m sure that Shelley could write a better article than I could. Jerry has use of his own hands and though he has lost a leg, he is more independent than if he had had a stroke.

We take for granted all that we have at our disposal. We don’t usually question if our hands are where they should be. They are the outward implement for reaching whatever we have nearby; or the instrument for searching for what we desire to do with our hands.

Man’s Chief End
As all this went through my mind it brought me to the first question of the Shorter Catechism. “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” A Bible proof for this is 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

The things at hand should be what He has given us for His glory. We perceive with our minds the things of God that are then rooted in the heart and play out through our hands. We should prepare our work and our pleasure according to His plans and His will.

imagesDo our hands do what we want them to do; or do they naturally reach and hold whatever is closest to us? God has given us every faculty and every instrument of the soul and body to serve and honor Him. What are things that should be close to our hands every day? Besides our holding and grasping His word, our hands in some way are involved in our communion and fellowship with our risen Lord, whether clasped in prayer or uplifted in praise and thanksgiving. They are used to serve others and our own needs; and always at His disposal. They were given so as to show others whom we serve. Our hands are a witness of God’s grace working within us.

 “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us:
and establish thou the work of our hands upon us;
yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
Psalm 90:17

 Dear Father, show me myself as you see me in how I use my hands. Let your servant not be found wanting; but if so, do your work in my mind and heart to change the things at hand. Bring me to repentance and displace the uselessness with your wisdom, grace, and strength; for the sake of your glory and your joy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.