Wednesday, August 31, 2011

God Lives In You-8/31/2011

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Cor 3:16

Beloved, please take a moment and re-read the scripture above. Then take a moment to close your eyes visualize yourself as God's temple. Take one more moment and consider what it means to you personally.

God has revealed a number of dwelling places among men throughout biblical history. We all know Him to reside in heaven. To be sure, He is still there, however we also know our God to be omnipresent; He is everywhere at the same time which allows Him to be within each and every one of us. In the past He has manifested himself in a pillar of fire and a cloud. His presence appeared on Mt. Sinai and He spoke to the people. He had Moses and the children of Israel construct a tabernacle wherein His presence occupied the mercy seat of the Ark resting within the "most holy place." Finally, His presence filled a similar place within the temple constructed by Solomon.

Now the bible tells us that we are that temple. God has moved from a common gathering place to an individual and intimate residence within each of us who have accepted Him through Christ. Imagine you personally being the dwelling place of God. Can you not quite get your mind around it? Then take it back one step and imagine God living in your house. What would your house look like? How clean would it be? What would you allow to go on in the house? Who would you welcome inside? What types of entertainment would you enjoy? What type of language would you use? What types of beverages would you drink and how much? What types of conversation would you have with others in the house or on the phone? Would you introduce your family and friends to Him? How much time would you spend with Him? Is there any place you would not invite Him to go?

To be sure, these are sobering questions but they are those that need to be considered by each of us. God does not live in the houses we live in, He lives in the houses that we are. Think on these things.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee

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