COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Since I was not raised in the church, it has been more than interesting to observe church services. As we continue to attend a local Baptist church, I have had the opportunity to "size-up" what going to the altar is all about. Having complete objectivity and by listening to the Pastor, I think I have made some accurate assessments. Almost a year ago as we visited this church, all I ever heard the minister say was, "If you want to know Jesus Christ please come forward." Well, I knew we knew Jesus Christ, so the altar call did not pertain to us. As I listened to what he said with more humility and willingness to hear him, he said, "If you want to re-commit yourself to Jesus Christ please come forward." Then I finally began to hear him say, "If you want to humble yourself to serving God, to come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord, if you want to re-dedicate your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, please come forward."
And so I went. Not with emotion, not with rigidity. Not with a sense of obligation or a feeling of unworthiness, but because I realized:
I do want to continue to humble myself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life, and I do want to know my Lord and Savior more and more, and I do want to re-dedicate myself to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ--every week, every day, through out each day.
Walking forward to the front of the church was hard the first time. One thinks everyone is looking at you and judging you. However, if my heart is pure before God and my earnest desire is to humble myself in front of others as a sign of humility--great! In fact in Adult Sunday School I asked all those 'regulars', "How come no one goes forward during the altar call? Perhaps if we all went forward we would be examples to others in the church and this church would see a new form of revival!" (Silence.) "I need to re-dedicate my heart in service daily and it seems to me that when our minister asks for those that have a desire to truly serve to come forward, that he is talking to all of us." (Silence.) So, even though the majority does not take that step forward, I do--and I usually pick one of them up along the way! Yep! They see me coming and I take them by the hand and say, "Let's go together. Let's you and me go pray together."
And they go--because in their hearts they love God and want to serve Him and they just need a little help or a shove or just an outstretched hand.
Shortly after we were blessed with our birthmother and "matched" with her, I knew what I needed to do.
I unpacked a baby blanket that I had purchased over 10 years ago. I found a cute little onesie and I unburied a tiny baby Bible, that we had bought on our honeymoon. I also located the small silver mirror we found at an antique store 10 years ago. I wrapped the onesie, the petite mirror, and the white ribbon-tied Bible inside of the clean baby blanket and took them to church with me.
When the time came for the altar call, I clutched my soft packet and went forward. I laid the blanket on the altar/podium (in God's eyes it was an altar), opened the blanket, gently laid out the onesie, placed the Bible on top with the mirror on top of the Bible. (Eyes were on me from all over the church.) And I quietly prayed. I prayed that this baby that God was giving to us would grow up with God's Word living in his heart. I prayed that he would be a reflection of all that God is--goodness, love, purity, joy, grace, mercy, and more. I laid my hands on that onesie just as if there was a baby inside. The Pastor came over and said, "Deborah, can I help you?" "No, I'm praying for the baby that God is giving to us. I am dedicating him to the Lord in his mother's womb. I'm calling those things that be not as though they were. I am coming boldly before the throne of grace and placing my petitions before Him." Tears ran down my cheeks because I knew that what I was doing was walking on God's promises and claiming the victory in Christ.
On that Sunday that I went forward to dedicate our baby-to-be, several women in the congregation came forward and prayed with me. Another Sunday I took a woman forward with me that had lost her baby boy when he was 3 days old, and we prayed that the gift of my son could help heal her heart. I prayed that my son would honor her as his sister and respect and cherish her. We both cried together knowing that God's healing balm was being poured out. Some Sundays I have quietly gone forward alone. One Sunday I already knew that I was going to take the 2 young teens that were sitting in front of me with me and I prayed for them throughout the service. When the altar call was for only those that did not know Jesus Christ--they went forward. I saw both girls later coming out of the nursery with their babies. God had done a work in their lives that day and I was blessed to be a part of it.
When we come home with our baby and go to church, I will have the privilege of carrying my baby forward in that little onesie.
What a witness it will be for God's grace and mercy. That He is still a God that faithfully answers prayer.
…and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope…(Romans 4:17c and 4:18a)
On December 5, 1999 after the birth and adoption of our son, Samuel Eduardo, we approached the altar at our church for prayer for our family and our new son. Our pastor tenderly prayed a prophetic prayer for Samuel and for his future.
To God be all glory and praise for His immeasurable grace and loving kindness.
For more information please read Precious and Mercy. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
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