10/18/2024
I read a short devotional message nine years ago, on this very day, that thrilled me. It was called "A Sacred Place" and it couldn't have been more relevant to my life at that time, and continues even now. The scripture verse used was from 1 Thessalonians. I gave this verse, a prayer of intercession and blessing, much thought, and I found that it went hand in hand with the prayer, consecration, holiness, and sacredness of my own life. I hope it does this for you too, and opens your awareness of the sacred places in your prayer life where God’s love sanctifies you through, and through. Today I reprint what I wrote that morning…
"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:23
My prayer life has been increasing for quite a few years now, but as of late it has taken a dramatic surge in frequency and intensity. I have felt the result of this in all the aspects of my life and seen the joy increase in my daily living. There is much peace in a close relationship with God; He doesn't just keep His hand on us (as we are partial to saying), He merges with our very being and fills every crevice, nook, and cranny of our existence. His presence exudes from us as we walk through our lives. It is like a scripture I find dear "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16.
If you have ever fallen in love with someone you know this feeling in a grand, albeit lesser way. There is no part of you that escapes the love you feel for a person, it runs through you like a piercing warmth and joy. God's love quickens every part of us, spirit, soul, and body.
Pastor E. M. Bounds extends this relationship to include the Church. Our being and the Church are both "Sacred Places". Here is what he says:
"Prayer affects places, times, occasions, and circumstances. It has to do with God and everything that is related to God.
Prayer has an intimate and special relationship to God's house. A church should be a sacred place, set apart from all unholy and secular uses, for the worship of God. As worship is prayer, the house of God is a place set apart for worship.
It is no common place. It is where God dwells, where He meets with His people, and where He delights in the worship of His saints." – E. M. Bounds
What a wonderful description that is. I think of God walking with Adam in the cool of the evening. They walked together in the garden and that was where Adam was able to have a close and personal conversation with God. Then, I think of my church. We are a bustle of community, but we are also set apart and secluded. You can walk down the hill behind our building and feel separated from the world. It is a place of prayer and beauty, and provides a quiet sanctuary where our spirit, soul, and body can renew itself in God. It is no common place.
So, my own personal relationship with God is growing deeper and more intimate, and my church as a whole is awakening to the holiness of our sanctuary and surroundings. This is a time to rejoice and be glad. God is with us and Jesus is returning soon... May we all be blameless at His coming.
Pray, and let Him fill you.... It will be the best "without ceasing" you have ever experienced.
Prayer:
Father thank you, for separating us, and your various holy places, from the world. Thank you Lord for hearing our unceasing prayers throughout the day, for walking with us in the cool of the evening, and for entering into our dreams in the night. Thank you Abba for embracing us as we breathe our every breath in your presence, and sigh in poetry of praise as we offer worship unto you. Help us now so that unlike Adam and Eve we will never hide ourselves from you in shame, but stand righteous and holy in Christ; made thus by his life, death and resurrection. Help us to keep pure and holy the sacred places you have set aside; the holy ground where we walk with bare feet before you. The places where we come together with you, and kneel in secret prayer. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you whose love for us knows no beginning or end. Merciful are you who clothed Adam and Eve despite their disobedience and shame, and you who sent your Son Jesus to wash our feet, and cleanse each of us of our sin. How amazing is your grace, and how deep is your love for us. Help us to love you, even as you love us, and to keep ourselves pure each day as we await the return of Jesus and find solace in our prayers. Give us strength in our faith, and power in our prayers as we travel this fallen world guarded by your angels, filled with your Holy Spirit, and held firm in the intercession of Christ. Hear our songs, our music, and our poetry Father as we attempt to please you in worship. Hear us as we come before you in contrition, asking your forgiveness, and seeking your presence within ourselves, the sacred temples you have made of us. Hear us in the other holy places where your fires burn, and yet don’t consume, and where our hearts bask in your light without shadow… hear us in every place where we seek Jesus, your Holy Spirit, and long to hear your voice, and be with you.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, and may we say without reservation Amen, Amen, Amen!
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
1 John 4:16.
I See My Life
By Rich Forbes – 10/18/2015
I see my life like photographs
Mixed upon a tabletop
Love connecting each with the others
Overlapping in their joy, heartbreak, pastel
I see my life like summer stars
Scattered across the firmament
Self - dividing each from the others
Close in their reflection, loneliness, togetherness, opaque
I see my life like smooth ripples
Quietly sliding in the calm
Moving apart across the pond
Piling upon each other ordered, confused, reflecting
I see my life like distant silhouettes
Walking towards the horizon
Fading, memory holding them afar;
Were they here at all? Brilliant, clear, shadow
I see my life in the mirror
Tears tracing creases before God
Gifts of love woven together revisited
Paths of faith connecting, blessings, loves, my life
Rich Forbes