Journal 08/23…The Church

5:43 AM

Lord God, Heavenly Father… You are the beginning and end of all things. You thought it all up and made it happen. Forgive me for my sins. I am part and party to the cause of this world being cursed. I trust in Your Messiah, Jesus Christ, for my salvation and I thank You for Your gift of grace and eternal life. It is no merit of my own, but purely the merit of the risen Lord Jesus that I come into Your presence today.

Psalm 23

I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live (6). Lord, I know that this talking about the temple, Your house, in Jerusalem, but the implications are for Your church -- the Bride and Body of Christ. In the New Jerusalem You are the Temple because Your presence is there. I will live with You forever and meet You there. In that sense, Lord, I will dwell in Your house forever.

But right now, on earth, we have the Body of Christ, the church. I don't know why more believers don't have a higher regard for the church, for the fellowship we are supposed to love, and for the eternal and intrinsic nature of the church. Lord, help me to love Your church, Your people, and Your presence among us. You gave Yourself for the church and live in the world through her. Make us one, Lord. Make us one.

Be first today. I am second. ~