It has to be totally presumptuous to think we could somehow contain God in a temple. The Creator of heaven and earth and everything in it, the God who gives us breath and life can not be contained in a building. His magnificence would far overshadow any building that could possibly be imagined by any feeble human mind. But there is one temple He fits in beautifully, there is one temple He desires to dwell in…it’s you, for I Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” You are that magnificently sacred temple where He choses to live.
Tag: God
Mark 9:41 ” I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”
The time was the early 80’s in Northern Idaho where I was working as a Charge Nurse at a large Nursing Home. We had just admitted a man who was dying, only to find out a day later that he was a hemophiliac…dying of Aids. Now back in the early 80’s there was not all the information out as there is today, let alone Universal Precautions in place to care for patients. We placed him in Isolation, which meant to go into his room you would have to gown, glove, and mask. Needless to say, you went into the room twice a shift to do vitals, and not much more. His family was intimidated and fearful of all the masks and gowns, and so stayed away, or stood in the doorway to talk to him. One particularly dark ,dreary day I was given report that he was slipping into a coma and would probably not live much longer. As I walked into his dark room to do my morning assessment, I felt overcome by saddness…sad because of his forced isolation through no fault of his own, since it was before blood for transfusions was checked for the HIV Virus…sad because of his uncomfortable, fearful family who couldn’t gather around him at this of need…and finally sad because I felt the entire staff had done a disservice to him by literally shunning him out of our own ignorance about the disease. He appeared to be in a coma, so I started to pray out loud softly, asking the Lord to grant him peace, and to tell him how much he was loved by his family. As I stood over his bed looking out the window at the dreariness suddenly bright sunshine completely filled the room..so suddenly that it startled me. I quickly looked at the man…his eyes were open, and he was smiling, this look of unspeakable peace on his face….He died a few hours later, with bright sunshine filling his bed… with that peaceful look still on his face.
Jeremiah 23:29 ” Is not My Word like fire,declares the Lord, And like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? “
God’s Word…it’s alive, powerful, effective, and ever brand new. I dare say, that if we all read the same passage, we would all receive something different from it, which has to be the most amazing quality of His Word! God’s Word can convict us where we live, for nothing is hidden from Him. His Word can judge our most hidden thoughts and attitudes we think no one knows. God’s Word is like fire that burns away the “stuff” of the world, leaving behind what we’re really made of. His Word is like a hammer that chips away at our hard exterior until Jesus is exposed in us. God’s Word… a letter written just for you!
Ecclesiastes 4:12 ” Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
My son and his wife were ocean kayaking off the San Juan Islands with a group and their guide when a pod of Orca whales suddenly appeared. The guide instructed them to quickly maneuver the kayaks side by side and lock arms. By doing so, they were much more stable in the water, and less likely of capsizing as the whales swam around them. In ancient times, Roman soldiers would not only lock arms as they went into battle, but their shields locked together too. If a comrade was hit, they would carry the injured man along with them…not leaving him behind. Facing adversity alone is very difficult…there are times when we need to lock arms with a trusted friend and face the battle together. And when God is there also, we now have a three strand cord…one that is not easily broken.
John 13:8 ” ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’ “
The place is the Last Supper…Jesus is washing the disciples feet one by one when Peter refuses Him. In Jesus’s reply He did not say, “You have no part in Me.”…which would mean that Peter was unsaved, but rather Jesus said, “You have no part with Me.”…which means having no communion or fellowship with Jesus. The Lord was showing Peter the necessity of regular spiritual renewal or cleansing in order to remain in fellowship with Him…and that simple act of foot washing symbolized sanctification…
being set apart for God.
Proverbs 17:1 ” Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”
This Proverb can only conjure up unpleasant memories for many of disputes around the dining table! Sadly, so many times a beautifully prepared meal has been marred by quarreling and contention of those gathered to partake of it. This Proverb was written by King Solomon, who having 700 wifes and 300 concubines, probably had rather lively discussions around his table…and could have been wishing for more peace and quiet in his own life!
II Corinthians 9:6 ” Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Most people who read this scripture think it has to do entirely with money. But showing benevolence towards others has so many varying facets. Several of the Proverbs talk about a generous man prospering and being blessed not just monetarily, but with abundant joy. But the opposite is also true…if you are lacking in certain areas of your life, if you sow it into others, you yourself will it reap back…for it says in Galatians that a man reaps what he sows. In other words, if you are lacking, pour into others, and you will receive back lavishly.
Hebrews 13:2 ” Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Newly married, we were shopping one evening at the local grocery store, when a young woman came towards us pushing her cart..full of groceries, a large Bible, and a beautiful baby with the most exquisite pair of shoes I had ever seen. As soon as she saw us, her face lite up, as if seeing old friends, and she began to talk as she approached our cart. It was a very odd one-sided conversation, in that she seemed to know both of us very well, and was telling us how blessed our marriage was going to be. As quickly as she appeared, she left, leaving us both dumbfounded. At the very same moment we turned and asked each other…”Who was that?” Neither one of us knew who she was, so we decided to find her and apologetically ask. Up and down the aisles we went, finally ending up at the check-out stands where two of our good friends were cashiering. Neither one of them had helped a lady with a baby and lots of groceries all evening. Was she an angel sent to give us a message of blessing from the Lord…I believe so.
Ezra 8:22 ” I was ashamed to ask the King for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the King, ‘the gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him, but His anger is against all who forsake Him.’ “
Ezra was going to lead a group of Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem over dangerous and isolated territory. He had boldly told the King that God would protect them during this journey,…but now he had to believe his own words. Ezra called a fast, in order to humble themselves before God, committing the trip to Him, and asking for safe passage. When God tells us to do something, in the back of our heads we’re always thinking…but what if God doesn’t show up?!…I’ll be humiliated! First, there is boldness in stepping out when God speaks to you, then there is obedience when you follow through…and just like Ezra, God will be there every step of the way.
I Thessalonians 4:7 ” For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
What exactly is it to live a holy life? I dare say, what I consider to be living a holy life may differ greatly from what you think. Each one of us comes from differing cultures, backgrounds, and upbringings. Each one of us are at different places in our Walk with the Lord. Aristotle defined holiness as standing between caring to please no one, and endeavoring at all costs to please everyone. In other words…we should strive to please God not man, all the while being Jesus to everyone around us.
Safetypinlove 