Month: April 2023

Your Heart, God’s Temple

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“So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the Lord. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 7:51

As you read and study, you begin to realize the amount of lavished riches that went into constructing and furnishing the original temple that Solomon built for the house of the LORD (and, rightly so). Yet, as lavished and as wonderful a sight it must have been to behold and walk through, with silver and gold this and that everywhere, the grand temple in which God truly desires to live is in the simplicity of the human heart; a place where He can abide and guide by His Spirit.

It may not appear to the human eye to be as beautiful and as ornamentally decked out as that magnificent building, but to God, a heart that loves Him, and makes room for Him to dwell – there are no luxurious accommodations found on this earth that can compare.

Jesus taught, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23), showing it is the temple of our hearts where He desires to reside.

Paul taught in Corinthians: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16), and “. . . for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

A lot of people are living for a showy outside life, but it’s the treasury of your heart God values the most because it is in this place He wants to reign, rule, and abide through His Spirit. The lavished, ornamental details of a physical building cannot compare to a heart that has been made a ready place for God to dwell.

While we are still called to gather together to worship God, learn of His Word, and edify one another (Hebrews 10:35), everyone has the individual responsibility to prepare their hearts to be a place where God wants to be.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (I suggest reading Ephesians 2 in its entirety)

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

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God’s Design | A Lesson from the Confident Bird

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This morning, I saw
high in the tree,
a confident, little bird
looking down at me.

I thought, if that were me,
on the branches that swayed,
I would not be so confident.
I would be very afraid.

The bird looked at me,
as if to say,
he had no reason to fear,
for God made him this way.

To fly high, and conquer
heights unknown.
To soar was his gift,
upon the winds that blow.

What’s true for the bird,
is true for me too.
For I have gifts and talents,
special things I can do.

If the little bird was confident
in God’s designed plan,
I, too, can be sure
in God’s design for who I am.

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

“Regrowth!” — Word For Life Says…

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Every day we are given is another chance for us to experience regrowth.  Is there something we let go of? Something we didn’t guard or tend to as we should have? Something we may have neglected? Today is a day to start over. It is a day to step out again and believe that God still has a place and work for you to do in His kingdom. Use where you are and grow from there. Today is just as good as any other day to relish in the mercies of those regrowth periods God allows in our lives.

“Regrowth!” — Word For Life Says…

Laboring Women

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“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3

Laboring women.  Those two words together more than likely bring immediately to our minds the idea of childbirth, which is a unique celebration in and of itself.  Yet, the Bible has a way of showing people beyond the norms of what may immediately come to mind.  It highlights the character, contributions, giftings, and skills of those, men or women, who were used by God or allowed God to use what they had or could do to further Kingdom business.

While we are familiar with Ruth, Deborah, and Esther in the Old Testament, and with names like Mary (take your pick), Pricilla, and Dorcas in the New Testament, what we find in the pages of Scripture that there are numerous characters (men and women alike, although I’m focusing on a female point of view here), whose lives and contributions made a significant impact even though they were not mentioned by name.

Paul made special mention in the verse above to the Philippian church to “help those women which laboured with me in the gospel.”  These women supported his ministry.  These unsung, nameless warriors are only known by mention here and the people they served then.  We don’t know who they are or how they helped in such a way for this honorable mention here – but help, they did, therefore Paul wanted the church to keep in mind the way their works provided service.

Another thing we don’t see here is the struggle to be seen.  We don’t see a fight or contentions arising because they wanted the recognition of their name and actions to be made known.  It’s as if it was just their pleasure to serve the gospel and to help in whatever capacity they could.

Their service mattered and made a difference.  And while they are not named here, the “Book of Life” holds their names.  Father God knows who they are, and He knows who you are.

You may not always receive the pat on the back, the acceptance, the “Good job!”, you are looking for, but what you do for Christ, what you do for the furtherance of the ministry of the Kingdom of God matters as well, and it is important.

Your name may not be published far and wide ascribing your accomplishments.  But if it is published in that Book of Life, have no fear of missing out because the Holder of that holy record sees everything you do for His Kingdom, and you can trust that He will reward you accordingly.

God sees and knows what you do for Him!

Further Inspiration:

“Overlooked?  Not By God!”

“Shamgar, Who?”

“FRAGILE!”

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Handle with care I wish I could post,
a stick it note to remind of what matters the most.

Distractions, directions unprofitable and robbing;
relentless in their unfocused pulling and prodding.

But my days are few upon this earth,
to make an impact of valued worth.

The reins have to be taken back;
no longer the less valuable plans to detract.

Focus, you only have one life to live.
Frail, is this only life to give.

Here today, and gone tomorrow;
let me cherish each one without resentment and sorrow.

Life is fragile and can break like a dam.
So, Lord teach me to measure my days, that I may know how frail I am.

To gain the worth of each day given.
This time on earth; this limited edition.

Invest in the works, the love and matters of the soul.
To fulfill His glory is our heavenly goal.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am,” (Psalms 39:4).

The Cup, the Kiss, and the Kingdom

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Text Free Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28.  How many times have we reflected upon or claimed that verse over our own lives?  How many are the troubles we have endured when we pull this promise out of the pocket of Scripture to reassure our hearts during tumultuous times?

And, my friend, why would we not?  This, as with too many promises to name, support us through the many difficult situations we face.  They fill our hearts with a hope that we may not physically be able to see, yet through faith in Him, our faith in God’s promises let us know our hope is not without a firm foundation.  Our hope has its source in One.

One who never fails.  One who will not suffer one jot or tittle to fall without the performance of what was written and hoped for, Matthew 5:18.

Our hope is in Him who took it all upon His person that He might secure it all for our person.

The cup would not go down like sweet juice, Matthew 26:42.  It was filled with bitterness.  It was filled with hurt.  It was filled with wrath.  It was filled with the sin of humanity.  Jesus Christ would drink every drop, leaving no remnant of moisture behind in the cup, for it was for complete salvation – it was to be the complete offering He has come to this moment in time.

Our Lord did not forsake the cup that was given to Him.  He drained its contents upon His very life, counting God’s will to be higher, determining the Father’s will to be accomplished above all.

The drowsy disciples saw Him praying.  They feel the earnestness of His resolve and soul.  Even the three closest to Him still could not wrap their heads around the contents of that cup He drank.  So, they slept.

Nevertheless, He submits wholly to emptying its fullness upon His life.

There was one who cared not about the suffering in the cup He drank.  This one’s focus was on selfish gain.  Going to the private place where Jesus shared close companionship with His disciples, a place usually of respite has now become a place of betrayal and a kiss would be the telling sign.

“Hail, master,” he spoke as if this were an ordinary day of greeting.  As if subterfuge was not in his heart, Matthew 26:49.

He made his deal.  The silver jingled in his pockets as he embraced the One who could give him riches in glory untold, Matthew 26:14-16.

“Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Jesus questioned, Matthew 26:50.  Both of these men have arrived at this place in the garden at this point in history.  Each is there though to fulfill very different purposes.  Judas has come in selfishness.  Jesus has come in selflessness.

Jesus has come to “seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10.  He has come to this point in time to “give his life a ransom for many” Mark 10:45.  Their reasons for being there on that night are as vastly separated as heaven and hell.  Judas wants to finance an earthly kingdom or himself.  Jesus Christ has come to build a Kingdom not made with hands, 2 Corinthians 5:1.

To His disciples, He often taught on the nearness of the kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7; Mark 1:15).  Parables were told to give those who would listen, not just with their ears, but with their hearts, a clearer glimpse into who would be in that kingdom and what it would be like (Matthew 13:24-53; Luke 18:16).

Securing souls for the Kingdom, and giving mankind a fighting chance, was the reason for this pivotal moment in this garden of conflict.

This conflict that brought so much pain to total innocence was not without purpose.  As horrible as this night appeared, and as horrific the events which followed would be, Jesus knew that God would work something good, even out of this evil.  It was “for the joy that was set before him [He, Jesus] endured the cross. . .” Hebrews 12:2.

Christ had many joys to look forward to when this was all over, but one of His greatest joys, I believe, is to see the Kingdom full of believing saints.  Hearts, who in their lifetime, believed and surrendered, will pass through those heavenly gates.

Jesus did not come to earth for Himself.  He did not go before multitudes to convince them of a better way for Himself.  He did not climb Calvary’s cross and submit to death for Himself.

No.  No.  A thousand times, NO!  But for you.  For me.  For us, He became “the way, the truth, and the light” John 14:6.  For people such as us, He was the greatest gift of love manifested, John 3:16.

He became sin that we might be freed from sin, (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 9:28).  He became our precious Lamb of God, 1 Corinthians 5:7.

The cup that was filled with wrath opened the gate for forgiveness and restoration.  The kiss of betrayal put in motion the events that led to the cross.  And it is at the cross, you will find the Key to the Kingdom.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.