"Amid the Temples"

hThe Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Amid the Temples"

     I am graced to live my life with many born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, both face to face in numerous services and meetings each week, and then in much correspondence with people from around the world (including so many of you).  The gift is so overwhelmingly wonderful that I cannot process it in either thought or express it in word.  When the realization comes to heart and mind, I usually just bow my head and hope that the Lord will look within me to see the gratitude I cannot adequately convey.

    "I  thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3).

   There is one thought that frequently crystalizes in a way I can ponder and form in words.  Namely, I never have any excuse whatsoever to be discouraged.  I see the Lord Jesus Christ in so many faces.  I hear His voice in numerous utterances.  I read the thoughts of His heart and mind in messages, whether by email, text, and sometimes, even the old fashioned way of pen and ink.  "I will dwell in them and walk in them" declared the Lord Jesus through the words of the Apostle Paul (II Corinthians 6:16).  How He does, and how sublimely wonderful to be blessed with the gift of witnessing our Lord's presence and perambulation in my brothers and sisters (apologies for that archaic word for walking!  But it fit so perfectly, and I'll probably never get to use it again! :):) ).  

   As many of you know, one of our ministries involves conducting 4-5 services per week in retirement and nursing facilities.  I will never forget the day many years ago when I looked out on a congregation composed mostly of people sitting in wheelchairs, many of whom were very weak and no longer possessed of the capacity to speak or care for themselves.  I stepped up to the pulpit, and before beginning to speak, a thought occurred to me: "Regardless of appearance, I am in the presence of and looking out upon temples of the living, eternal God."  The thought overwhelmed me in that moment, even as it overwhelms me now in remembrance.  It also provides the aforementioned challenge.  The Lord has blessed me to live my life amid His temples, including, of course, all of you.  I see, hear, and touch our Lord day by day in ways that unmistakably declare to my heart and mind that God is faithful, His Word is true, and His grace is "exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).  I am most surely not immune to the temptation of discouragement.  But, in the bright illumination of His Christ-filled temples, I will most surely not have an excuse if it happens.

"In the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee."

(Psalm 22:22)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen."

(I Timothy 1:17)