Lord's Day, March 23, 2014

I am so happy that God has brought me to this place in life.

I can't recount just how He did it, or even when He began the process,  but He has taught me to cherish the Sabbath, and to keep it as best I can.

I recall the times when Sunday was just a 'go to church because that is what we do' kinda thing.  There was really no teaching about 'keeping' the Sabbath.  Indeed there wasn't much effort put into it at all.  Jokes were made about the "(insert denomination name here) nap", but as for other aspects of the Sabbath, other than going to church, there wasn't much emphasis placed on it.

I have learned, through trial and testing, good teaching, and study of the Word, however what a delight it is to keep the Sabbath.  I look forward to Sundays.  Saturday, I try to prepare for rest on Sunday by getting all of the errands done.  I put gas in the car and do the shopping on Saturday for the most part, and plan to spend Sunday reading (not for pleasure), and studying, or in fellowship with other Christians.

I have also developed the habit of preparing for worship by spending time in prayer on Saturday evening, when I am home alone anyway.  I will work hard through the day, then after dinner, sit outside (weather permitting) with a cup of coffee as the sun goes down, praising God, thanking Him, confessing sin, being quiet before Him, praying for others and for my pastors and their families.  This is such a sweet time to me.  I cherish it!

Sunday mornings, I spend more time praying outside on the patio.....listening to the birds and enjoying the sunshine or rain, whatever the case may be.   Once again, I pray for the church activities of the day, asking God to speak to us.

Faithful Sabbath keeping 'keeps' us for the week......it sustains us and gives us strength and encouragement for the week ahead.  Our spirits, minds, and bodies are refreshed.

Today, I was blessed by the Word in Isaiah 56 and 58....about God's favor and blessing on those who keep the Sabbath as He commanded, who delight in it.   Formalism is not something He desires.....going to church just because we do, or thinking that just the act of going merits us something.   No....God despises formalism, but blesses those who delight to keep the Sabbath.

A part of developing a delight in keeping the Sabbath is pursuing God by abiding in His Word and in prayer.  It is not in our nature to do either one, really.  It takes effort and intention, and indeed is quite a struggle at times. But the more I delight in sitting at His feet, the more I want to be there.  His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  It is the way to know Him.

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It was a delight to hear our pastor speak the call to worship this morning from Psalm 18:
  I love you oh Lord my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. ........The Lord lives, and Blessed be my rock. And exalted be the God of my salvation....

The Sermon was from Romans 12:   Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.......
My thoughts are scattered, as I don't have time to develop them fully here:

We are to abhor what is evil and hold fast to that which is good.   'Abhor' indicates an intense negative reaction to something.   As I quoted earlier on Psalm 12 post......"Where there is no disapproval of evil, wickedness flourishes." We are to react violently against it.

There is so much struggle involved in being a living sacrifice.    It is so hard to be 'in the world but not of it." We are here,we are sinful, and our nature is to conform to the world around us.  In truth, we become molded to be like what we spend the most time pursuing.  If we pursue the things of the world, we will be worldly.  If we pursue godliness, as directed in the Word, we will be transformed to be like Christ.

I love the point the pastor made about living sacrifices jumping on and off the alter!  How true!

So much more to say....but sleep calls.  

Thank You Father, for establish a Sabbath Day for us.  Thank You for calling me out of the stagnant waters I used to tread.  Thank You for renewal and blessing.  And even for trials and testing.  Make me 100% Yours!