From Pastor Dave:  Parson to Person – Sunday, March 29th
March 29, 2020

From Pastor Dave: Parson to Person – Sunday, March 29th

Preacher:
Passage: Exodus 3:5, Acts 7:33, Psalm 24:1, John 12:32, Acts 1:7-8, Isaiah 66:2b
 "Walking on Holy Ground"

Stephen, the first martyr, in his defense to the Sanhedrin, recounted the history of Israel. In doing so he brought up Moses before God in the burning bush. "The Lord said to Moses, "Take the sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5 & Acts 7:33).  Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein."

It seems to me that wanting to walk with heavy boots may be very advantageous in walking on rocky ground.  By contrast, walking barefoot on rocky ground takes much more effort and attention to where & how we walk.  We are less inclined to stomp or run on rocky ground.  When I was surfing I was one of the guys who didn't have hard calloused feet from going barefoot most of the time.  My jobs required shoes, so I was always a "tender foot".  Consequently, I paid much attention to where I was walking in getting to the water. Maybe the Lord was teaching me how to walk in this very rocky, dirty ground of the world we live in.

It also seems to me that Jesus walked tenderly with everyone but the self righteous religious people wearing their heavy spiritual boots, if you please!  Someone has said that "maybe one of the greatest pains in God's heart are self righteous Christians."  I agree!  The problem with that agreement is that I have to be self righteous to agree!  Isn't sin sneaky?  Our sins look so bad when other people are doing them. Praise God for grace!

Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all peoples to Myself." (John 12:32).  We are called to be witnesses of Christ, not ourselves, church or denomination.  But Christ alone!  I know that at times like this we wish that He would rapture us out of here.  We believe that we are in the last times.  And we may well be. But He said, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the end of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8). God said to Isaiah in Chapter 66:2b, "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Will you join me in praying that I am and we are such a people here at Calvary Chapel of Paradise?

                                                     GBY& LOLIC, Pastor Dave
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