The Lord Is in This Place

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Genesis 28:16, 17.
True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence. With this sense of the Unseen, every heart should be deeply impressed. The hour and place of prayer are sacred, because God is there. And as reverence is manifested in attitude and demeanor, the feeling that inspires it will be deepened. “Holy and reverend is his name,” the psalmist declares (Psalm 111:9). Angels, when they speak that name, veil their faces. With what reverence, then, should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips! Well would it be for old and young to ponder those words of Scripture that show how the place marked by God’s special presence should be regarded. “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet,” He commanded Moses at the burning bush, “for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5.
God is high and holy; and to the humble, believing soul, His house on earth, the place where His people meet for worship, is as the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the words spoken by Christ’s ministers, are God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that is impure…. God sees every irreverent thought or action, and it is registered in the books of heaven…. Nothing is hid from His all-searching eye. If you have formed in any degree the habit of inattention and indifference in the house of God, exercise the powers you have to correct it…. Practice reverence until it becomes a part of yourself.
The Faith I Live By p. 187
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Lou. She is still in ICU but is holding her own. Eileen
—-Please pray for my son that God will help him in all his problems. Buck
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Dear Friends
Many years ago, there was a rabbit who lived in our yard. I often stood at our kitchen window and watched her nibbling grass or just hopping around the yard. At first, she lived under our shed, but soon felt safe enough make a nest right up next to our trailer. The dog we had at the time, Sandy, was no threat to her. Sandy, who was a very old dog and didn’t appear to even know the rabbit was there, or if she did, she knew she was too old to catch the rabbit, so why bother?
The rabbit got so used to Sandy, that she thought of her as a normal part of life. In fact, we often saw them out in the yard within 10 feet of each other. Perhaps the rabbit thought of Sandy as a friend or a protector, because after Sandy died, it was not long before we no longer saw the rabbit.
How often we are like that rabbit. We get so used to dwelling with something dangerous, that we soon lose our fear of it and even welcome it as something good. Every day we are exposed to sin. Yet, it all becomes so commonplace, so normal, that we get used to it: sin becomes part of normal life. We begin to feel that it holds no more danger to us than did Sandy to that rabbit. The music in the stores, at our workplace, even sometimes in our home is of the type to lead us away from Jesus. Without realizing it, we begin to hum along. If we turn on the TV, the programming promotes evil thoughts. Soon, we find ourselves doing or saying what we have watched. Even if we are watching a good, uplifting program, the advertisements are full of evil. Even the magazines displayed in the checkout line at the grocery store, promote sin. Often, the topics of conversation of those around us are not of the best quality.
In His mercy, God has given us a guideline to follow that will help us deal with the sin that is constantly around us. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8 David also gives us another key to living in this sinful world. He says, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Ps 119:11 He explains further, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward….Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Ps 19:7-14
Only by filling our mind with God’s Word can we become uncomfortable with the sin to which we are continually exposed. Only by allowing the Holy Spirit make His fruit a part of our life can we live above the darkness of this world. Paul tells us, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal 5:19-25
May we claim the “exceeding great and precious promises [found in the Word of God]: that by these [we] might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to [our] faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in [us], and abound, [we]shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Amen! 2 Peter 1:2-11
Rose