5 May, 2009
Automated prayers?
Mark 15:37-39 [NIV]
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
Hebrews 10:17-22 [NIV]
"Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 4:16 [NIV]
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
What does God's Story teach us about coming to God?
For centuries, the Israelites relied on a priest who would go to God on their behalf. The priests would offer sacrifices for them. They would pray for the people. They would come before God in the Most Holy Place to seek the forgiveness of the people. This small inner part of the sanctuary was separated from the rest of the temple by a large curtain and only the High Priest was allowed to enter.
When Jesus was crucified...as soon as he breathed his last breath...that very curtain was torn from top to bottom! This was to represent that the final sacrifice had been made and we no longer needed a priest to go to God for us.
We can commune with God on our own now! We don't need a priest...and we certainly don't need a machine...to utter our prayers for us. God has called us to draw near to Him. He has granted us permission to approach the throne of grace.
Thank You Jesus for this amazing gift!
How can we connect today's story and God's Story to my story?
- Know that you have full access to God's throne...any time of day...in any circumstance.
- Imagine being there when the curtain split in two...I mean actually close your eyes and put yourself in that moment! What an amazing moment in history that was. Spend a few minutes thanking Jesus, our final High Priest, for covering your sins and allowing you entrance to the Most Holy Place.
- Today's article talks about a web site that was designed for people who are "too busy" to talk to God. I will admit that there have been days when I got to the end of the day and realized that I hadn't spoken with God all day. I bet that, if we are honest, this has happened to each of us at some point. But if this is normal for you, could I suggest that a rearrangement of priorities might be in order? This is the God of the Universe we are talking about...the eternal, creator, all-powerful God. I don't know about you, but there is not one thing in any one of my days that is bigger or more important than Him. With this in mind, I should be talking to him in the midst of the business...all day long.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and my story with my friend's story?
- Ask a friend if they have ever talked to God...and how they felt. Maybe they feel He is distant. Maybe they wonder whether or not He is supposed to talk back. Maybe they have questions. Maybe they have never done it at all.
- Share with them about the curtain, what happened when Jesus died and what that means for us!
- Share with them how this privilege of personal communication with God has changed your life. You won't have to convince them of their own need for it. When they see your passion for intimacy with God, they will want it for themselves!
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
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- August 2011 [22]
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- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
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- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
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- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
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- June 2008 [11]
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- February 2008 [18]
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- December 2007 [18]
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- August 2007 [12]
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- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
