OzThoughts Tuesday 14th October 2008.

OzThoughts Tuesday 14th October 2008.

A week or so ago, I commented on one of the two texts recently replaced after the complete interior repainting of the Temple. That text is: “With God… all things are possible. Mark 10:27” The other text that confronts us as we sit in worship is:

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Psalm 100:4.

These two texts act as a challenge to us to come to worship full of praise for God. That’s included in the “Enter” bit. There is also a reminder here that it is “His” place.

I remember speaking to the Minister of a country church situated in a picturesque small town. In lots of places it would probably be considered a village but we don’t use that term a lot. I remarked on the simple classic style of the timber church with its high spire with a cross on top. I said simply it is a lovely church and was a lovely sight as I came down the hill into the town. He told me it was built by a family many years ago and now the extended family considered it “their” church. He said he felt it would be good for all if they did as their forebears who built the church did and handed it over to God and recognised it as God’s House of Worship.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your House of prayer and worship. Help me to come into your house with thanksgiving and praise. May I come knowing not only is it your house but may I come expecting to find joy and yet challenge too, as I engage in praise and thanksgiving. I pray today, although I am not in your House, that I may constantly be before you in praise and thanksgiving, waiting on you. Amen.

Isaiah 56 (The Message)

1 GOD's Message:
"Guard my common good:
Do what's right and do it in the right way,
For salvation is just around the corner,
my setting-things-right is about to go into action.

2 How blessed are you who enter into these things,
you men and women who embrace them,
Who keep Sabbath and don't defile it,
who watch your step and don't do anything evil!

3 Make sure no outsider who now follows GOD
ever has occasion to say, "GOD put me in second-class.
I don't really belong.'
And make sure no physically mutilated person
is ever made to think, "I'm damaged goods.
I don't really belong.'"

4 For GOD says:
"To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths [This refers to eunuchs – OzThoughts]
and choose what delights me
and keep a firm grip on my covenant,

5 I'll provide them an honoured place
in my family and within my city,
even more honoured than that of sons and daughters.
I'll confer permanent honours on them
that will never be revoked.

6 "And as for the outsiders who now follow me,
working for me, loving my name,
and wanting to be my servants--
All who keep Sabbath and don't defile it,
holding fast to my covenant—

7 I'll bring them to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
They'll be welcome to worship the same as the "insiders,'
to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar.
Oh yes, my house of worship
will be known as a house of prayer for all people."

[Listen: Portsmouth Citadel Songster Brigade http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2369.mp3 ]

In the secret of thy presence,
Where the pure in heart may dwell,
Are the springs of sacred service
And a power that none can tell.
There my love must bring its offering,
There my heart must yield its praise,
And the Lord will come, revealing
All the secrets of his ways.

Chorus
In the secret of thy presence,
In the hiding of thy power,
Let me love thee, let me serve thee,
Every consecrated hour.

More than all my lips may utter,
More than all I do or bring,
Is the depth of my devotion
To my Saviour, Lord and King.
Nothing less will keep me tender;
Nothing less will keep me true;
Nothing less will keep the fragrance
And the bloom on all I do!

Blessed Lord, to see thee truly,
Then to tell as I have seen,
This shall rule my life supremely,
This shall be the sacred gleam.
Sealed again is all the sealing,
Pledged again my willing heart,
First to know thee, then to serve thee,
Then to see thee as thou art.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 591 ……………………………………………….
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