While Jesus and his disciples were eating together they were surrounded by Pharisees and teachers of the law. They pointed out to Jesus that his disciples had not washed their hands, as it was custom to do so. Jesus used a verse from Isaiah to counter their judgment. In verses 6b-8 he said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” The tradition of the ceremonial washing had merely become a ritual and was not part of God’s law or word to the Jews. They had shifted their focus from worshipping God to holding to human traditions. Their hearts did not have room for God. This issue can be related to the idea that our actions can save us, that they are more important than anything is. However, in Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul said, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” No works we do and no traditions can save us or can really make us clean. Being God focused is essential for someone who calls himself or herself a Christian. I noticed that as a Christian it is easy to fall into routines and following traditions that the church adopted. Every church has traditions and human rules everyone should follow. Sometimes, I feel like I have to do certain things because it is the right thing to do, e.g. going to meetings, but then I am only honoring God with my lips and not with my heart. Everything I do is in vain. It is not worth anything. If I come with that kind of attitude, I am wasting my time and energy because I am doing it just for the sake of having to do it and not because I want to do it.
Jesus continued his speech about traditions and God’s commands. He pointed out that the Pharisees were not only honoring God with their heart, but they were also putting their rules above God’s commands. Jesus uses the law on honoring the father and mother as an example. Some Jews decided they would give their money to God, which of course is not bad. Nevertheless, they were doing it for the wrong reasons. The money they gave was intended to help their parents but since they gave that money up, they did not have to help their parents anymore. One of God’s commands was, though, to honor mother and father. Jesus is trying to show that human laws should never come above God’s law. Pastor Ron Ward said in his message, “We must respect the word of God more than human tradition.” God already gave us commands to follow. We do not have to burden ourselves by making more rules or ones that are contrary to what God’s word says. God is above all things.
In verse 14 Jesus called the crowd and clearly told them, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them” (15). The Jews had thought that coming into contact with unclean people or gentiles would defile them, so they had to wash themselves. Jesus explained, though, that it is not what goes inside what makes someone dirty but what comes out does. What we say and do can defile us. It is not limited to actions or words, but our character or thoughts can also cause us to become defiled. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” It is important that we guard our heart. We need to be careful that whatever we say or do is not harmful to anyone. In the same way do I have to guard my heart and “use” it in the right way. Pastor Ron also asked us, “Where is your heart?” This question really made me think. Where is my heart? Right now, it seems like it is all over the place. I was not expecting to be spiritually fed throughout my trip to Chicago. It was like a refreshing retreat without any obligations. I was able to learn a lot about ministry and about my faults and myself in just two days. I have been regenerating from sins and problems I had caused in the last year where I had not been completely honest to people around me. I realized that my heart was everywhere but with God, even when I thought it was with God. I know he is trying to renew me right now and I am grateful that he loves me even though I have failed him in so many ways. Now there is nothing I can do to change things from the past, instead I want to focus on what lies ahead by letting God fill my heart.
I have to remember that in all I do it is not because of traditions or rules that I have adopted throughout the years but because I want to do it to glorify God. I also want to shift my focus back to God and worship him with and from my heart.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Children and Worship
On Sunday, I had to do body worship for our children’s service again. It was different than usual, though. I as somehow so moved by the song that my eyes filled with tears, but I didn’t want to cry in front of the children. However, watching them sing and worship also made me realize some things. Some of the kids were just worshiping freely. Children don’t hold back and just let everything out when it comes to worship. Some of the children are going to be leaving the country soon, which together with how they were worshiping made me really sad. Now, it also makes me hopeful that a foundation has been laid, so that they can worship freely wherever they are and go and that they are already believing in God. All this made me see my weaknesses when it comes to worship. I should worship like children worship without looking at what the other children around them are doing and just focusing on praising God.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
God Speaks
Had a Praise Night today. It was a blessing. I could hear God speaking to me through the songs. I have been struggling with many different things lately (the future, temptations…). I just didn’t have a heart for God or the Word. In the last two or so weeks, I came to see that I am too preoccupied with other things that kept me from focusing on God’s word.
The song that moved me was “Great is the Lord.”
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
The city of our God, the holy place
The joy of the whole earth
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemy
We bow down on our knees
And Lord, we want to lift Your name on high
And Lord, we want to thank You
For the works You’ve done in our lives
And Lord, we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.”
I was reminded once again that without God I am nothing. And that he loved me more than anything. God is worthy to be praised and thanked.
During group Bible study this week, I stumbled over this verse, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” It taught me that my actions do not show that I fear God. I went through all the things I do and came to realize that many of them prove that I don’t have a fear for God. In the end, all I can do is remember God in all I do and reflect on whether what I am doing is right and God-fearing or not.
I can’t let anything separate me from God. He is the author of my life and my faith. He loves me with His unfailing love. Thank you, God, for constantly reminding me that you are the greatest and have given me victory though Jesus.
The song that moved me was “Great is the Lord.”
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
The city of our God, the holy place
The joy of the whole earth
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemy
We bow down on our knees
And Lord, we want to lift Your name on high
And Lord, we want to thank You
For the works You’ve done in our lives
And Lord, we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.”
I was reminded once again that without God I am nothing. And that he loved me more than anything. God is worthy to be praised and thanked.
During group Bible study this week, I stumbled over this verse, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” It taught me that my actions do not show that I fear God. I went through all the things I do and came to realize that many of them prove that I don’t have a fear for God. In the end, all I can do is remember God in all I do and reflect on whether what I am doing is right and God-fearing or not.
I can’t let anything separate me from God. He is the author of my life and my faith. He loves me with His unfailing love. Thank you, God, for constantly reminding me that you are the greatest and have given me victory though Jesus.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Peace Be With You! (John 20:19-31)
John 20:21 “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
I have heard messages on and read this passage many times, but there is always something new to learn. The words that struck me the most were when Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” They never really stuck out to me, but while studying this passage, they were repeated three times, so they must have some significance. In Bible study, we talked about the meaning of these words in Hebrew. Translated they mean, “Shalom,” which is a Hebrew greeting. However, they seem to be more than just a greeting in this passage because Jesus said them twice while he was with the disciples. I was wondering why he did that. In verse 1, it says that the disciples were in a house with the doors locked because they were scared of the Jewish leaders. They were afraid that the leaders would try to put them on trial as well, especially after Jesus had died. The fact that Jesus had disappeared from his tomb that morning must have scared and worried them even more because they did not know where Jesus was. They must have thought that someone would come after them and question them about the disappearance. Everything was uncertain to the disciples at that point, so they hid and stayed among themselves.
Their fear turned into joy when Jesus appeared in the room and showed himself to them. The words, “Peace be with you!” were some kind of comfort to the disciples. There are only three instances where Jesus said this, and they are all in this passage, which gives them even greater importance. Why did Jesus say these words? He knew that the disciples had been scared, worried, and depressed. He knew they were missing something because their hearts were down and empty. The four words, “Peace be with you,” give comfort and assurance that fear and worries are unnecessary. Jesus wants to give peace, especially in times of distress, fear, and sadness. I may not be sad or afraid, but the last few weeks have been very stressful. My classes demanded a lot of time and energy, and also knowing that next year is going to be stressful and even more work intensive, made me worry how I will handle the pressure and work. I sometimes forget how powerful God’s word is and when school demands a lot of my time I am willing to give it because it seems important and necessary considering that I will have a job in the end. However, last week I was so tired after coming home from my internship in the afternoon that I just wanted to sleep and not go to Bible study, but then I was hoping I would maybe get something out of it and it would give me some strength. Obviously it worked. Jesus words of peace gave me new strength and comfort that I don’t have to worry about papers, exams, presentations, or the future because it is all in God’s hands.
I have heard messages on and read this passage many times, but there is always something new to learn. The words that struck me the most were when Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” They never really stuck out to me, but while studying this passage, they were repeated three times, so they must have some significance. In Bible study, we talked about the meaning of these words in Hebrew. Translated they mean, “Shalom,” which is a Hebrew greeting. However, they seem to be more than just a greeting in this passage because Jesus said them twice while he was with the disciples. I was wondering why he did that. In verse 1, it says that the disciples were in a house with the doors locked because they were scared of the Jewish leaders. They were afraid that the leaders would try to put them on trial as well, especially after Jesus had died. The fact that Jesus had disappeared from his tomb that morning must have scared and worried them even more because they did not know where Jesus was. They must have thought that someone would come after them and question them about the disappearance. Everything was uncertain to the disciples at that point, so they hid and stayed among themselves.
Their fear turned into joy when Jesus appeared in the room and showed himself to them. The words, “Peace be with you!” were some kind of comfort to the disciples. There are only three instances where Jesus said this, and they are all in this passage, which gives them even greater importance. Why did Jesus say these words? He knew that the disciples had been scared, worried, and depressed. He knew they were missing something because their hearts were down and empty. The four words, “Peace be with you,” give comfort and assurance that fear and worries are unnecessary. Jesus wants to give peace, especially in times of distress, fear, and sadness. I may not be sad or afraid, but the last few weeks have been very stressful. My classes demanded a lot of time and energy, and also knowing that next year is going to be stressful and even more work intensive, made me worry how I will handle the pressure and work. I sometimes forget how powerful God’s word is and when school demands a lot of my time I am willing to give it because it seems important and necessary considering that I will have a job in the end. However, last week I was so tired after coming home from my internship in the afternoon that I just wanted to sleep and not go to Bible study, but then I was hoping I would maybe get something out of it and it would give me some strength. Obviously it worked. Jesus words of peace gave me new strength and comfort that I don’t have to worry about papers, exams, presentations, or the future because it is all in God’s hands.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Parents Praise Their 5-Year-Old For Praying At Lunch Even Though SchoolTold Her Not To
Link: Parents Praise Their 5-Year-Old For Praying At Lunch Even Though School Told Her Not To
This family is setting an example.
Not the first time I heard this, but it is always very upsetting to hear that little children are told not to pray. Who do these people think they are? Just because they are teachers they don’t have the right to tell a child that prayer is bad (it doesn’t hurt anyone, right?). How come we have to say the pledge of allegiance in school, but can’t say a simple prayer before lunch?
The way the parents encouraged their daughter was awesome. She was obviously struggling with what to do and who to listen to. Something like that should never happen, especially not to a five year-old. I would call that discrimination. It also violates the first amendment, which gives us the right to freedom of speech and religion.
This topic is important to me because I am working on becoming a teacher, and I will have to deal with these kind of things. I know I am not allowed to preach to my future students but can love them the way they are and the way God made them.
This family is setting an example.
Not the first time I heard this, but it is always very upsetting to hear that little children are told not to pray. Who do these people think they are? Just because they are teachers they don’t have the right to tell a child that prayer is bad (it doesn’t hurt anyone, right?). How come we have to say the pledge of allegiance in school, but can’t say a simple prayer before lunch?
The way the parents encouraged their daughter was awesome. She was obviously struggling with what to do and who to listen to. Something like that should never happen, especially not to a five year-old. I would call that discrimination. It also violates the first amendment, which gives us the right to freedom of speech and religion.
This topic is important to me because I am working on becoming a teacher, and I will have to deal with these kind of things. I know I am not allowed to preach to my future students but can love them the way they are and the way God made them.
Friday, March 21, 2014
The Love of God
I somehow had the urge to write something on here today, but I first didn’t know what to write about. Then I knew I wanted to write about God’s love.
In my Bible study group, we talked about John 18:1-27. Many might not see God’s love in this passage because it is about Jesus’s arrest, but while studying it this week I realized that it is all about God’s love.
A detachment of soldiers and some Jewish officials came to arrest Jesus. I always thought this was a small group of Roman soldiers and some Jewish leaders; however, I learned that a detachment consists of about 600 soldiers. In this case there might have been a little less, but it was still a significant amount. It comes to show that they were ready to fight any opposition and rebellion. Jesus and the eleven disciples would have had no chance against them. What is most striking is that Jesus goes before them and asks, “Who is it you want?” (v.4). Why did he do that? Well, if you think about who was there with him and what was about to happen it kind of becomes obvious. He was protecting his disciples. If he had just let the soldiers come closer, they could have arrested them all or the disciples would have tried to fight them, which wouldn’t have ended good either. By taking the first step, Jesus diverted the attention on himself and away from the disciples. He loved them too much for them to get hurt. In his high priestly prayer in chapter 17, Jesus had asked God to protect them in the world and keep them in the world, so they could do what he had taught them. The soldiers told him that they were looking for Jesus. Jesus simply replied, “I am he” (v.6). Now the soldiers were so surprised that they fell to the ground. I thought that was pretty weird because they didn’t believe in God. Jesus words must have been so powerful that the soldiers were stricken with fear and maybe even awe. Who would turn themselves in knowing they are innocent? Only Jesus did that for US. All this happened because God had a plan. He wanted to show us His love. He protected us (or the disciples) from harm and being arrested and gave His beloved son to die for us. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” There is no greater love than the love God showed for each one of us through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Back in the passage, Peter tried to fight for Jesus and cut of one of the soldier’s ear, but Jesus explained that this was God’s will for him, so he was arrested. Later we learn that Peter denies Jesus three times. From experience I can tell you that this is one of the worst things you can do to God and to yourself. I still remember very clearly what happened the day I just stayed quiet. Peter cried after he knew what he had done. He was heartbroken and ashamed. Jesus showed him forgiveness, though, before he ascended into heaven by asking him three times to take care of his sheep. I recently found this verse in Isaiah 43, “I, even I, am he blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remember your sins no more” (v.25). This made me think a lot. I had never thought that God forgets our sins, but it makes sense. How depressing would it be if He remembered all the things we did wrong? If God were human, He would have become a mental patient and been put in a high security mental hospital, where he would spent the rest of his life. God forgives and forgets, This kind of love is unconditional and indescribably amazing.
In my Bible study group, we talked about John 18:1-27. Many might not see God’s love in this passage because it is about Jesus’s arrest, but while studying it this week I realized that it is all about God’s love.
A detachment of soldiers and some Jewish officials came to arrest Jesus. I always thought this was a small group of Roman soldiers and some Jewish leaders; however, I learned that a detachment consists of about 600 soldiers. In this case there might have been a little less, but it was still a significant amount. It comes to show that they were ready to fight any opposition and rebellion. Jesus and the eleven disciples would have had no chance against them. What is most striking is that Jesus goes before them and asks, “Who is it you want?” (v.4). Why did he do that? Well, if you think about who was there with him and what was about to happen it kind of becomes obvious. He was protecting his disciples. If he had just let the soldiers come closer, they could have arrested them all or the disciples would have tried to fight them, which wouldn’t have ended good either. By taking the first step, Jesus diverted the attention on himself and away from the disciples. He loved them too much for them to get hurt. In his high priestly prayer in chapter 17, Jesus had asked God to protect them in the world and keep them in the world, so they could do what he had taught them. The soldiers told him that they were looking for Jesus. Jesus simply replied, “I am he” (v.6). Now the soldiers were so surprised that they fell to the ground. I thought that was pretty weird because they didn’t believe in God. Jesus words must have been so powerful that the soldiers were stricken with fear and maybe even awe. Who would turn themselves in knowing they are innocent? Only Jesus did that for US. All this happened because God had a plan. He wanted to show us His love. He protected us (or the disciples) from harm and being arrested and gave His beloved son to die for us. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” There is no greater love than the love God showed for each one of us through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Back in the passage, Peter tried to fight for Jesus and cut of one of the soldier’s ear, but Jesus explained that this was God’s will for him, so he was arrested. Later we learn that Peter denies Jesus three times. From experience I can tell you that this is one of the worst things you can do to God and to yourself. I still remember very clearly what happened the day I just stayed quiet. Peter cried after he knew what he had done. He was heartbroken and ashamed. Jesus showed him forgiveness, though, before he ascended into heaven by asking him three times to take care of his sheep. I recently found this verse in Isaiah 43, “I, even I, am he blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remember your sins no more” (v.25). This made me think a lot. I had never thought that God forgets our sins, but it makes sense. How depressing would it be if He remembered all the things we did wrong? If God were human, He would have become a mental patient and been put in a high security mental hospital, where he would spent the rest of his life. God forgives and forgets, This kind of love is unconditional and indescribably amazing.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
11 Questions
I know, this is just what everybody else is doing, but I thought, I am going to do this one thing with facts about me.
2. That depends on where I am, what happened, and who is with me or not. When I am alone, I kind of talk to myself or yell at whatever frustrated me. When I am with family, I will sometimes yell, talk to myself, or just make an angry or frustrated face. When I am with other people, I try not to show my frustration.
3. I don’t have one favorite book. However, one book that I really liked was “Nothing to Envy.” It is a book about North Koreans, who fled the country and tell their stories about life in NK.
4. The funniest things happen at the preschool I work at. Here is one: One day, I was sitting at the snack table with some children when two girls started talking about Christmas.
G: You know, Christmas is not just about the presents. It’s about…
H: Yeah, it’s not. It’s about friends and family. My mom told me that.
G: Yes, mine did too, but it is also about Jesus birthday.
H: Yes, it is the day Jesus was born.
5. What kind of question is that? Candy or chocolate? I love both and don’t have a specific kind I like but brands. For candy it’s HARIBO and for chocolate it’s Kinder and Lindt.
6. I had both and I prefer short because it is easier to take care of and doesn’t bother me as much.
7. Biking, definitely.
8. We usually talk, but I like going bowling, which we haven’t done in a while. Eating is also one of the main things we do together.
9. Finish school, get a job, have a family, believe in God, travel (not in that order of course, especially the last two would be ongoing).
10. I love mushrooms and avocados. I didn’t like mushrooms as a kid and always picked them out of the food. I first tried an avocado when I came to America because we don’t really have those in Germany.
11. One of the most interesting classes in College was an intro to Sociology. In high school, it was Geography.
- Pancakes or waffles?
- What do you do when you get angry or frustrated? Do you cry, yell, etc.?
- What is your favorite book (aside from the Bible)?
- A funny story?
- What’s your favorite candy or chocolate?
- Do you prefer long hair or short hair? And why?
- What’s your favorite hobby?
- What is your favorite thing to do when you hang out with your friends?
- If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do with your life?
- What is one thing not many people know about you?
- What was your favorite class that you took?
2. That depends on where I am, what happened, and who is with me or not. When I am alone, I kind of talk to myself or yell at whatever frustrated me. When I am with family, I will sometimes yell, talk to myself, or just make an angry or frustrated face. When I am with other people, I try not to show my frustration.
3. I don’t have one favorite book. However, one book that I really liked was “Nothing to Envy.” It is a book about North Koreans, who fled the country and tell their stories about life in NK.
4. The funniest things happen at the preschool I work at. Here is one: One day, I was sitting at the snack table with some children when two girls started talking about Christmas.
G: You know, Christmas is not just about the presents. It’s about…
H: Yeah, it’s not. It’s about friends and family. My mom told me that.
G: Yes, mine did too, but it is also about Jesus birthday.
H: Yes, it is the day Jesus was born.
5. What kind of question is that? Candy or chocolate? I love both and don’t have a specific kind I like but brands. For candy it’s HARIBO and for chocolate it’s Kinder and Lindt.
6. I had both and I prefer short because it is easier to take care of and doesn’t bother me as much.
7. Biking, definitely.
8. We usually talk, but I like going bowling, which we haven’t done in a while. Eating is also one of the main things we do together.
9. Finish school, get a job, have a family, believe in God, travel (not in that order of course, especially the last two would be ongoing).
10. I love mushrooms and avocados. I didn’t like mushrooms as a kid and always picked them out of the food. I first tried an avocado when I came to America because we don’t really have those in Germany.
11. One of the most interesting classes in College was an intro to Sociology. In high school, it was Geography.
Friday, January 24, 2014
The Lord Is God (1 Kings 18:20-46)
Key Verse 18:21 “Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’”
When I was little, I learned about this story through a children’s Bible cartoon. It seemed more dramatic than how it was described in the passage, bit it taught me early on that there is no other god beside God. Elijah had asked to assemble all the prophets on Mount Carmel. He challenged the people by asking them in verse 21, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” The people couldn’t decide which god to follow. They must have gone back and forth between the two. Elijah wanted to put an end to this and make them decide to follow the right one. He asked the Baal prophets to set up an altar, where they would sacrifice a bull, and he would set up another altar to offer a bull to his god. They were both not allowed to light their offering, but instead they had to pray and wait for God or Baal to set it on fire. The prophets agreed and build their altar and prayed, sang, cut themselves, and danced. However, in verse 29b we are told, “But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.” All the prophets’ efforts were in vain. Baal did not set their sacrifice on fire, so Elijah directed the people’s attention toward him and the altar he build for the Lord. He put the wood and bull on it, and asked some people to pour water over the offering three times, which even filled the trench he had put around the altar. We all know that it is impossible to light wet wood. The people who were with Elijah must have thought he was crazy. Elijah continued and asked God to reveal himself to the people and show them that He is God. Of course, God set the sacrifice, wood, stones, and soil on fire, and He also dried up the trench. Verse 39 shows how the people responded to this, “When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord – he is God! The Lord – he is God!’” What else could they have said? God had just clearly revealed Himself and His power to them. Now there was no doubt that the Lord is God. This is not the end of the story. Besides showing the people who He is, God ended the famine in the land by bringing rain, which they hadn’t had for three years. God ended the drought after the people turned back to him. The relationship between God and His people was restored.These days it is not always easy to know which way to go and see that God is really there. It can be a struggle to believe at times because there are so many other things and people telling us that they are right and know better. However, God may not reveal Himself in form of a fire but through His word and through people around us and events that happen in our lives. Often, when I am not sure if God s there or if the path I am going is the right one, God shows me and assures me that He is there and is leading me His way. Then I have no doubt that He is God and can do all things, even set wood drenched in water on fire.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Hear From Heaven and Forgive
Today’s passage in the Daily Bread was about Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the new temple for God. In verses 23 through 26 Solomon reminds God of the promise He had made to David. It says in verse 25b, “You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.” Solomon was grateful for God’s love and commitment to His people. He knew that Israel was blessed as long as it walked with God. He also knew, though, that the temple was a very small and simple place to contain a god as faithful, great, and powerful as this. The temple was built as a place for God’s name for God and a place for the people to come to God for anything.
In verses 28 through 40, Solomon asks God to hear his people’s prayer in many different situations. He asks God to have His eyes on the temple day and night (29). Nothing is supposed to slip God’s ear, no little prayer, request, or cry. Solomon knows that humans are sinful. He tells God to hear and forgive four times. Solomon was petitioning for his people that God would have mercy on them in time of sin and defeat when they would turn to God and pray. The temple was not just a place of worship, but it was also meant to remind the people that God was there and listened to their every need. Beside hearing and forgiving, Solomon asks God to act. He says in verses 39c and 40, “Deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.” The people needed to fear the Lord. They had to realize that they could not just do what they wanted.
Does this still apply to us? I would have to say yes. God sent Jesus to save and free us from sin, and he even opened the Most Holy Place for everyone to enter to show that we were reconciled with God. Nothing stands between God and us. He dwelled among us in Jesus and now in the Holy Spirit, which means He is everywhere. He is not bound to a temple or church. When we want to pray, we can do that in our room, at the store, in the car, or at work. Verse 29 still applies to us. God has His eyes on each one of us, as we are His temple. He is watching us day and night and is ready to hear from us at any time. God also hears us and has already forgiven us through Jesus death and resurrection. In much sense, we have it much easier than the Israelites did at Solomon’s time. We should make use of this privilege as often as possible. We do not need to be in church to pray, as I said we can pray anywhere we want because God is where we are.
I am grateful that I can come to God at any time and in any place because I would not want to have to wait to go to church to pray there. When I have done something wrong and I realize that, I want to ask for forgiveness right away and not carry that burden and guilt around with me. God knows how weak I am and has made it possible for me to be free from that guilt on the spot only because He gave His only son for me.
In verses 28 through 40, Solomon asks God to hear his people’s prayer in many different situations. He asks God to have His eyes on the temple day and night (29). Nothing is supposed to slip God’s ear, no little prayer, request, or cry. Solomon knows that humans are sinful. He tells God to hear and forgive four times. Solomon was petitioning for his people that God would have mercy on them in time of sin and defeat when they would turn to God and pray. The temple was not just a place of worship, but it was also meant to remind the people that God was there and listened to their every need. Beside hearing and forgiving, Solomon asks God to act. He says in verses 39c and 40, “Deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.” The people needed to fear the Lord. They had to realize that they could not just do what they wanted.
Does this still apply to us? I would have to say yes. God sent Jesus to save and free us from sin, and he even opened the Most Holy Place for everyone to enter to show that we were reconciled with God. Nothing stands between God and us. He dwelled among us in Jesus and now in the Holy Spirit, which means He is everywhere. He is not bound to a temple or church. When we want to pray, we can do that in our room, at the store, in the car, or at work. Verse 29 still applies to us. God has His eyes on each one of us, as we are His temple. He is watching us day and night and is ready to hear from us at any time. God also hears us and has already forgiven us through Jesus death and resurrection. In much sense, we have it much easier than the Israelites did at Solomon’s time. We should make use of this privilege as often as possible. We do not need to be in church to pray, as I said we can pray anywhere we want because God is where we are.
I am grateful that I can come to God at any time and in any place because I would not want to have to wait to go to church to pray there. When I have done something wrong and I realize that, I want to ask for forgiveness right away and not carry that burden and guilt around with me. God knows how weak I am and has made it possible for me to be free from that guilt on the spot only because He gave His only son for me.
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