COME RIGHT IN!

As I look around me in these days after the holidays, I see stress on many faces.  Christmas just wasn’t all it was expected to be for some.  Now there are debts to pay for all the Christmas gifts that were bought, and many of those gifts are already broken or returned.  We go through a month or more of great hype for Christmas and anticipation grows.  Then in one day, Christmas is over and we put away all the decorations for another year and life goes on into the New Year.  Many go through this holiday forgetting the Lord who came to save them.  Did you know the suicide rates go up tremendously right after the holidays?

During this month of January, at the start of this New Year, there are many sick among us.  There are many who are going through great trials and can hardly bear to face this New Year.  Some went through the holidays grieving a loved one who passed on this year.  And Christmas was one of past memories and joys shared in past years with that loved one.  I even hear of a beloved friend who at death’s door.

But God’s Word, in these dark and cloudy days of January brings joy, hope and peace.  And we  remember why our Lord came.  He came to become one of us, walking this earth for thirty three years, dying on the cruel cross, was resurrected on the third day, and now is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.  And He is interceding for you and for me.  And He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, Praise the Lord!

Now let us look into His Word and see that He hears your cries, even the smallest cries and is waiting with open arms for you to run into them.

“Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications” Psalm 28:6.

In other words David is saying:  “Lord, while I have been praying, Your Holy Spirit has given me that wonderful inner assurance that my supplications have been heard and answered, and I bless you for it.”  Oh, that wonderful assurance that God hears and answers prayer.  And no matter what the situation is in your life right now, God hears!  He knows your deepest pain as you cry out to Him.  He knows your desperation!  It is a matter of faith, just stepping out, believing that God will do the impossible for you, whatever the problem.  Praise His Holy Name!

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:15-16.

Our Lord’s great heart is touched by our infirmities or are weaknesses, as He Himself was “a man of sorrows.” Other verses in the Gospels say that He was moved with great compassion as He saw the hurts of the crowds gathered around Him.

And the Word tells us to come BOLDLY, to walk right up the throne of grace to receive His mercy and grace in our times of need.  He calls us to bring all our needs to Him in prayer, big and small.  He is concerned about even the smallest of needs on our hearts.

I am reminded of how blessed we are to live this side of the cross, with Jesus having finished the work of our salvation.  Back in the days when the Law was given to the Children of Israel by Moses, we read in the book of Leviticus, chapter 21:17-23, that no man, who was a son of Aaron, the High Priest or any of his descendants could approach the veil in the Tabernacle or come near the altar of the LORD if he had a blemish of any kind.  He could not be blind or have any eye problems.  He could not be lame, or have any broken bones, or be deaf or hard of hearing.  He could not be sick or have any other physical problems.

At the cross, when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom, opening the way for anyone to come into His presence.  All of us have blemishes in our hearts, as sin causes us to be deaf to the calling of the Holy Spirit.  Many of us are blind spiritually, and cannot see through the darkness of our lives.

Since we now, as believers are all high priests (1 Peter 2:5), we can come right in, no matter what blemishes we have in our hearts or even our physical bodies.  We may be physically hard of hearing or have sickness in our bodies.  But He calls us to come right up to the throne of grace with all our “baggage.”  He washes our hearts clean of all the blemishes with His precious blood!  And He is the God who heals, and promises to supply all our needs.

Are you “blemished” today, my friends?  Have you asked Jesus to cleanse and make you whole, to forgive you and wash away all your sins?  He wants to give you new life with Him. Oh, yes, there will be storms and dark times, but Oh, the joy of knowing He is right there beside you.  Come today, come right in!  He is waiting for you.

“Father, in the Name of Jesus, I am so thankful for the Cross!  I am so thankful that You made a way for us to come right into your presence.  I am so thankful that we have forgiveness of sins, that You promise to walk along side of us no matter what may come into our lives.  I am so thankful that no matter what “baggage” we may be carrying, You promised to carry all our burdens.  You promised to answer prayer, even the smallest of prayers.  And I am thankful that you are always attentive to those who cry out to You.  And I pray that many will cry out to You right now, as you are waiting and calling men and women, boys and girls to You, to just come!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon