filling the temple

I was looking at some pictures of beautiful, old buildings and I was amazed at how intricate the details are. The construction took place years ago and yet the ornate carvings and designs have endured. Today, we don't use that same craftsmanship in our buildings. It was truly a use of art in the very design of the buildings many of these buildings were churches and temples. The best was poured into a place of worship.
It got me thinking about the temple that Solomon built for God in the book of  1 Kings. David, his father, had gathered materials and laid out the plans. Solomon took the charge from David and commissioned artisans and gifted builders to create the most beautiful temple, overlaid in gold with masterpieces designed into the walls and tapestries. It must have been awesome to see.  I am not sure artist renderings capture even half of the splendor. The purpose of this temple was to be a house of worship for God Almighty , where His presence actually dwelt and manifested. When Solomon dedicated the temple, in 1 Kings 8:10, a cloud  filled the temple. The priests could not perform their service because the glory of the Lord filled his temple. It's amazing to think about.  The priests and the Israelites had a set of laws for how they entered the temple and how the temple was to be reverenced. It was a place of holy worship for the majesty of God.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who  is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
I Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NKJV

Paul wrote that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we have the Spirit of God in us, we are described as a temple.  Our very bodies house the Spirit of God. If I am a temple that has the Spirit of God dwelling within, there will be a different way of living. God is holy and righteous. He is not a God who will tolerate sin.

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
I Corinthians 3:17 NKJV

God comes in and cleans us up, gets rid of the sin and moves in. He will not want us to bring in the sin again and fill up our house with it. He is there.
There is a vision described by Ezekiel in chapter 8, where God revealed to Ezekiel the detestable things occurring in the temple. The temple was defiled and God was not pleased. Judgement came. The people would not heed the warnings of Ezekiel. The glory of God was not willing to stay in the presence of the sin that was filling the temple. Ezekiel was distraught and God was angry.

God does want us to recognize that we are His temple and as such, we need to think about what we allow into our temple. As we view media, read information, participate in certain activities, we should always be mindful, that we are the temple of the Living God. And yes, while He is merciful and full of grace, we need to make an effort to willingly please Him. I want to be sure the glory of God fills my temple so much that there is no room for anything else. I do not want to allow a secret sin or even a casual thing to enter and become sin before His presence.  There is a children's  song that explains this concept very well, "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see." It addresses what we see, hear, say, go, and do.  Each part of our body that actually brings in information is mentioned because that information will be planted and effect our thinking, feeling, and beliefs.  Some may not think it a major deal to watch certain types of entertainment, but eventually, the things you watch, hear, and do will effect the way you think, speak, and act.  I may be stepping on toes, maybe  my own, but if what I am doing brings things into my thoughts and ideas that are against God, I may need to turn from those things. I need to make sure my temple is a place of worship for my God who lives in me.

The way we think about about ourselves should also change. I am not my own. I have been bought with a price.  I am not in charge.  That actually takes a lot of pressure off of me and I can trust the One who is in charge: God. I also begin to think twice about how I treat myself.  I have sometimes allowed myself to criticize my self, to think poor thoughts about who I am and how I look, etc.  I may even allow those feelings of poor self worth to bring me to binge eat that dessert I don't need or to not take care of my health.  I have witnessed people partake in substances and activities that destroy the body and reduce self worth even more. Their body becomes so broken, it is hard to function or even do what God may have called them to do.
This is not the plan or purpose God has for our lives and bodies. His plan is to fill us with His Spirit and to dwell in us and with us. He wants to be there as our Savior, our Comforter, our friend.  He wants full access to every part of us. We cannot keep back just a part of our temple for indulging our self interests. It would be like going to buy a house and moving in, only to find the previous owner is still going to live in one of the rooms. We wouldn't accept that. We should not ask God to do the same. Let's  rethink what it really means to be a temple of God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which  is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NKJV

We live as a temple of God.We present ourselves to be acceptable and holy before God. We are transformed into new creatures by His Spirit.  We are no longer going to want to bring into our temple the things that displease our new Master of the house. We will instead seek for the things that will please Him. Let's be a magnificent temple for Him, a place where He will dwell forever. ( 1 Kings  8:13)  Let our temple be adorned with our masterpieces and our worship. Let's make God's presence comfortable and invited always into every part of our being. Let's  be filled with worship for the Mighty Savior who came in and changed us into new creatures.  Let's make sure our temple is a pleasing dwelling place for our Lord, clean, pure and holy before God.

praise through the storm

"Can anything else go wrong?" That is what I have asked more than a couple of times recently.  Have you ever felt like nothing is going right? I think we have had to repair just about everything in our house lately, and some things more than once. The AC repair man has been here multiple times, the refrigerator, my kitchen chairs, a floor board, sewer pipe, and even my car, to name just a few. I have several people in my life that are in desperate need of healings and help.  I have felt a bit overwhelmed a few times.    But I know that I can call on Jesus in every storm.
As I was driving home to yet another repair going on, I began to just sing praises. I knew my husband was missing needed sleep and trying his best to get this new problem taken care of.  Yet, I could sing praises because I knew God was still there, taking care of us and providing.  I have experienced God's provision many times.  I have seen God provide for our finances, our health, our needs so many times. Even when we may get frustrated and feel down, God has turned it around when we just gave it to Him.  So many times, we take our eyes off of His goodness, and look at the circumstances. We see the overwhelming issues and problems and forget that He already has an answer.
Life will always have problems. Life will always throw a curve ball. But God is always ready to provide.  We just have to keep trusting Him.

I have found that as the problems come, I can just praise Him more. The joy and peace will fill me instead of fear and worry. I can look to God for my help.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord , Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬3 NKJV

He is my shelter and my hiding place. He strengthens us and leads us through. He is a sure foundation when everything else is shifting. Even when a loved one faces hardship, depression, or despair, we can call on Jesus to change the situation, defeat the despair and replace it with peace. He will attend to our prayers and answer.

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
Psalms 61:1‭-‬4 NKJV

God is good and faithful. He is kind and overwhelmingly generous. He provides when the odds seem impossible. We only need to trust and have faith. I am grateful and thankful that I can run to His arms and feel His love flood through my soul. His peace and joy that cannot be explained washes away the fear, doubt and worry.  I may still have troubles and trials, but I can find peace in my storms. I can still sing praise because God is good no matter what this life may bring. God is a rock for our soul.

Praise God through the storms, He will carry you through. Yes, that trouble may still be there, but God will provide and soften the blow as only God can. He loves us and wants to be our shelter and strength. He will turn it around for our good.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

Thank you Lord for your provision, faithfulness, and goodness.

Eat His Word

Have you ever found yourself  desiring and enjoying a favorite food? I am working on a delicious chocolate cake for my daughter's birthday it smells so good. It is soft and moist. The chocolate frosting is just creamy and oh so good.  What about those favorite foods we all go for. Those chips and salsas - it's like you just can't stop eating them. We crave foods, we enjoy foods. We delight in foods. We can all name a food we just love to eat. We can describe the flavors and textures so well our mouths start watering. That is why commercials and menus use pictures and descriptions that entice us to to buy and try the foods they advertise. We rejoice in delicious food.  This same delight, craving and enjoyment should be a part of our spiritual desire for the Word of God.

Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV

Jeremiah was a vivid, passionate, colorful prophet. When I read Jeremiah, I always end up taking a look at my own passion for God and His Word. Jeremiah was dedicated and passionate about speaking the truth, the Words that God directed. He spent much of his time in trouble with other prophets who were speaking their own words and calling them God's word.  He called them out and ended up in a pit. He went to the extreme as directed by God to speak the fiery Word God had for Jerusalem and surrounding nations.  When he spoke of the word of God in chapter 15, he said the word was found and he ate them.  He told God that His word was joy and rejoicing of heart.

How do I react to the Word of God?   Do I seek out the Word of God? Do I describe it as joy and rejoicing of heart ?  Do I partake of His Word like I am eating?

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalms 119:11 NKJV

We eat to bring sustenance to our physical bodies. Food is what gives us energy, strength, and keeps us alive.  We also partake of food when we sit down and fellowship and enjoy the company of friends and family. We desire food, we crave after some foods. Our spiritual food, His Word, is what strengthens our spirit, gives our spirit life and energy. His Word can sustain us and keep us going.  We should desire it, seek after it, crave it even more than the physical food.  It will bring us not just life here, but everlasting, eternal life. It is what we truly need.

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
I Peter 2:2 NKJV

The Word of God  should not be an afterthought,  a drudgery we quickly read through , or even forget about.  It should be our first craving of the day and our last thoughts as we lay down to sleep. His word should permeate us, energize us, and feed us. We should feast on His Word as often as we can.  It should delight us.

We need to desire, enjoy, and find delight in feasting in His Word.