Baby it’s cold outside
Baby it’s cold outside…
10 degrees to be exact.
But I’m warm and cozy at the moment this morning.
However, when I came to bed last night my hands, my feet, my whole body was ice cold. I had been in the basement for about 4 hours, working out and practicing songs. Actually, I was in full blown worship mode by myself. And even though it was around 40 degrees in the basement, I was in a t-shirt and seemed warm all over — until I stopped.
Then…
There’s a passage that seems to encourages us about the presence of the Lord inhabiting the praises of His people —
But You are holy, O You who are enthroned in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].
PSALM 22:3 AMP
And my praises weren’t just preparing for a Sunday morning performance. No, I was spending time worshipping My King, the living God, the Almighty One, My Father in Heaven. And there is a FIRE in that place that never grows cold.
There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].
ACTS 2:3-4 AMP
If I had just been “practicing”, I would have been half frozen and miserable, doing it out of some obligatory thought that I want to “get it right” or “not embarrass myself in front of others” come Sunday morning.
Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-19 AMP
But no, just like I will be in Sunday morning, I had an audience of one, my song was lifted to Him, and if anyone else happens to hear it, that’s just sprinkles on the cookie.
The funny thing is that I came to bed around midnight, with my ice cold body, and the warmth of my wife already in the bed asleep was such a stark contrast to my ice cold body. But she didn’t draw back from me, she loved me, she drew me close and warmed me up. Even though we laughed and she winced each time we touched in a new way to warm another part of my seemingly frozen body, I knew that this was not just a blessing from my wife, but that this moment was a blessing from God.
It may be cold if I were lost outside in the dark by myself, but man, it sure is nice and cozy at home tonight where I’m supposed to be.
We aren’t meant to be alone, we aren’t meant to be wandering further and further away from our God, but we are meant to repent, to turn back to Him and know life, know closeness, know Him present in our lives. So let’s draw close!
The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
PROVERBS 4:19 AMP
But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.
PROVERBS 4:18 AMP
Thank you, Lord. Thank you, heavenly Father. Thank you, Holy Spirit.
But I, the Lord , search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:10 NLT
Harold J. Ballinger 