Behold!
Last Sunday I was traveling back home to Manchester, Maryland. I worshiped that morning at Frostburg United Methodist Church in Frostburg, Western Maryland. This stately church is located at 48 W Main St, Frostburg, MD. The Rev. Rebecca Vardiman is pastor.
Inside is a lovely sanctuary. I am sorry that this picture appears dark, but you get the idea of its size and layout.
On either side of the chancel area are large, colorful banners. The one on the left shows a design of the Cross and Flame, which is the symbol of The United Methodist Church. The Cross stands for Christ and His work of saving us from our sins. He stretched out his arms on the Cross, where He said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
The Flame represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus returned to our Father in heaven, He promised that God would send in His stead the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us until He comes again.
The banner on the right celebrates the newness of life we have in Christ.
The banner on the right celebrates the newness of life we have in Christ.
I like it in Revelation 21 where our Lord says, Behold, I make all things new. Also, I like the passage in 2 Corinthians 5:17 where the apostle Paul states that in Christ we are new creations. God created all that is and is continually creating. God is a God of newness and life. As we open ourselves to God, willing to be made new, He changes us for the better.
Here is a beautiful stained glass window in the rear of the church, which is only visible by going into the balcony and turning around to see it.
Here is a beautiful stained glass window in the rear of the church, which is only visible by going into the balcony and turning around to see it.
In this scene, we see Christ at the door, knocking to come in. Christ wants to come into our lives to make us new and to fellowship with us. What a friend we have in Jesus!
The thing is, He will not come in unless we open the door from the inside of our experience and life. Notice that the door has no outside doorknob. He will not just come in, whether we invite Him or not. The knock is His and the acceptance and welcoming of Christ belongs to us.
Christ is knocking at the door of your heart today. His work on the Cross stands for all time and eternity, available to all who will believe and follow Him. His Spirit is knocking on the door of our hearts and minds, wanting to come in and lead and teach and guide us through life.
How will you answer his knock?
Behold, God makes all things new.
Behold, Christ stands at the door and knocks, wanting to come in and make His home with us.
On this day after Thanksgiving, God is making an invitation to you to make a new beginning.
Will you accept His invitation?
Do it today.
The thing is, He will not come in unless we open the door from the inside of our experience and life. Notice that the door has no outside doorknob. He will not just come in, whether we invite Him or not. The knock is His and the acceptance and welcoming of Christ belongs to us.
Christ is knocking at the door of your heart today. His work on the Cross stands for all time and eternity, available to all who will believe and follow Him. His Spirit is knocking on the door of our hearts and minds, wanting to come in and lead and teach and guide us through life.
How will you answer his knock?
Behold, God makes all things new.
Behold, Christ stands at the door and knocks, wanting to come in and make His home with us.
On this day after Thanksgiving, God is making an invitation to you to make a new beginning.
Will you accept His invitation?
Do it today.
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