Nothing Will Destroy God's Temple: A Promise!

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's Temple and that God's spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred and you are that temple." 1Corinthians 3:16(emphasis added)

I know we have all read, heard, studied this scripture so many times.  But this morning as I read it I felt God's spirit ushering me to not just take it in at face value, but to break it down and explore it for myself.

I have struggled with both self esteem and weight issues for most of my life.  In fact, I can't remember a single day starting from my childhood up till now that I haven't thought about my weight or appearance, been on a diet, or been struggling through a binge of some kind.   My need for control surely plays a part.  But more than anything, it's the false beliefs I have around the purpose for my body that ultimately propel my obsessiveness.

We have been taught through society and hollywood that our bodies are made for a number of things...

Pleasure, self worth, praise, pain.  We must look beautiful, be thin, wear make-up, wear the right"\ clothes, stay young, look sexy, get positive attention in order to have worth and value.

It's the same thing with our personality...

We must be funny, smart, have lots of friends, get invited to all the "right" parties, the list goes on and on.

But when you read the scripture above as well as the one below, God gives a very different picture.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the Earth, your eyes saw my unformed body." Psalm 139:13-15(emphasis added)

If we put 1 Corinthians 13 and Psalm 139 together God gives us a very different image of what the purpose and value of our bodies should be.  But the unfortunate truth is that so many of us, including myself, have forgotten or simply never known or believed the truth that God says about both our bodies and our souls.

When examining 1 Corinthians 13 more closely the Spirit highlighted three keys words for me.

1. Temple
2. Sacred
3. Destroy

God's say that our bodies are a sacred temple and after much research on both the english, latin and greek meanings of the words, the definition is empowering.

We are God's Scared Temple:

A consecrated, highly valued place that is connected to God and devoted to reformation and the holy purpose of worship and deserving of great respect!

WOW!  What a definition!

Broken down God says we are:

• Consecrated: set apart
• Highly valued
• Connected to God
• Reformed
• Made to Worship
• Deserving of Respect 

Amen!

Now here is what gets me, God then goes on to say that He will DESTROY anyone(thing) that attempts to DESTROY that temple(Us).  This is a promise and a strong one!

Destroy defined means:

To cause something to no longer exist or to damage it to the point of disrepair. To kill or defeat easily. To ruin the structure or condition, to put out of existence, demolish, ruin, and refute.

Those are a lot of strong words and we can look at them two ways through God's word.

1. That we should refrain from doing anything that could cause the above effect on our bodies, minds, hearts and souls.  
2. That God PROMISES to do those things to anything that attempts to do the same to our bodies, minds, hearts and souls.  

But here is what was so key for me this morning...this is promise!  Meaning that God will do it!  There is no guess here...God doesn't say He might, or that He probably will destroy them...He says that He WILL destroy them. 

So before the morning was over I found myself praying and asking that God would fulfill this promise for me. I asked Him to destroy anything in my mind, body, heart or soul that could destroy them as His temple.  

Which for me in foundation were: 

• False thoughts or lies
• Poor choices(food, exercise)
• Mental illness(depression, anxiety)

And as prayed for His power to destroy these demolishers of His truth, God drew me back to Psalm 139.  He reminded me that everything He makes is beautiful, wonderful and awe worthy.  He saw me (all of me) before I existed and said it is "Good."  It's about time I started believing it.

So my prayer for you this morning is that you would ask God to fulfill this promise for you as well.  That you would call on Him with all the power and authority of Jesus and KNOW that the promises He makes to you, He will fulfill.  

Amen!

Lessons From A Laptop Resurrection Part 2

"Things"

Accessory or Necessity?

"Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."Hebrews 13:15-16

After I had found all my hard copies, acceptance started to kick in. Each day I woke up a little but more "okay" with the fact that my laptop was gone. Although that didn't stop me from plugging it in and trying to turn it on almost daily.

"Maybe it will work today!" 

But it didn't work and eventually I gave up that hope. 

So I brought the laptop, with the back cover over off, to the corner of my bedroom in hopes that perhaps, some day in the future, something might be saved from the hard-drive.

My new hope; that God was going to provide for me a new laptop. My 30th Birthday was coming up and maybe, just maybe, God would provide the resources through the wonderful people He had brought into my life.

As the weeks went by, God started to wake me up earlier and earlier each morning to write music, devotions, revelations...and the fact that I needed computer became vastly clearer.  The funny thing was that the reason I needed it was not so that I could write, (although my achy and tired hand would probably of argued otherwise), it was for reasons of quality.  A laptop would provide for me the ability to share what God was putting on my heart through His spirit.

For example:

I remember writing a song one morning and hearing all the parts in my head and yelling at God as I realized I had not way of recording them before they left my mind.

"God I can't do the work you have called me to do with out a laptop! I need it to finish YOUR work!"

The truth is that only half of that statement was true. I could still do the work He had called, but in order to complete it, I did need a laptop.

This moment was when God really began to reveal to me how I had taken my laptop for granted. So many times I had been checking Facebook, Pinterest, streaming T.V. shows and movies when I should have been writing, recording, and reading His word. My laptop was not just another accessory it was a necessity and I had taken it for granted.

I began asking God to not just to give me a new laptop, I began to a ask Him to give me a new laptop when and only when He knew I was ready to use it for it's right purposes; for His Glory!

So many of us take for granted the value of things and people in our lives. Thinking they will always be there, we procrastinate and take advantage of their value and purpose. Food, Money, Clothes, A place to live, Furniture, Televisions, Laptops, IPads, IPods, Cars...the list goes on and on. Some of these things are necessities...i.e. food, clothing, a place to live, and (enough) money. 

But some of these things are not necessities, UNLESS we are using them to either build up the kingdom of God or to build US up in the Kingdom of God. 

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."Hebrews 13:16  

• A couch so that we can invite the lost in to our homes to sit, rest, and learn about Jesus.
• A television so that we can watch sermons, and movies and television that help us grow in our understanding and closeness to God. 
• A car so that we can pick up and take people in need to church, a job interview, school and so much more.
• A laptop so that we can write, share and reach the lost with Jesus's words and music. 

You get the picture. But please don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying that the above statements are the only things that these items should and can be used for. What I am saying is that we must not get stuck in using them only for our OWN enjoyment. 

When we take for granted the things that we have, we miss out on the huge blessing that they could be providing not only for ourselves, but for others. 

What things do you have that you are taking for granted?

I encourage you to sit down and make a chart with two columns. On one side write out all the things that God has blessed you with (a home,car, IPad, laptop, vacuum, bicycle, shampoo, lipstick, jewelry, shoes, books, tools, a boat, etc...) Nothing is to big or to small. When you are done writing out that list, begin writing all the ways you could use these "things" to glorify God in the column next to them. Both by using them for others, and by using them for yourself.

Now somethings you will find really don't have much to offer and that doesn't necessarily mean that you SHOULDN'T have them, or that you should give them up. But what God has thought me through this experience is, that we SHOULD evaluate WHY we have them. 

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1John 3:17

God doesn't want us to get our fulfillment from things, God wants us to get our fulfillment from Him and from being used by Him.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

 So I challenge you to reevaluate the "things" you have in your life:

• How am I using them?  
• Why do I have them?  

And the biggest question:

• How can I use them to bring Glory to the Kingdom of God? 

Lessons From A Laptop Resurrection Part 1

It's Not About the How; It's About The Why

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." 2Tim 1:9

Over 6 weeks ago I was watching a sermon on my Roku and in the process of trying to do to much at once, (instead of focusing on the sermon), I spilled coffee on my laptop.  What felt like hundreds of thoughts went through my head as I tipped the laptop over...and ran to the kitchen for paper towels.  But one of the most prominent, believe it or not, was a thought of conviction and not of my clumsiness.  I was feeling convicted because I should have been watching the sermon...and I was about to check Facebook.  Yikes!  Even thinking about it now makes me cringe.  

But my thoughts quickly turned back to my laptop and the frenzy began. "Maybe it will be okay", I thought as I frantically tried to soak up all the wasted caffeine.   As I watched the screen on my laptop start to shutter and blink on and off and then eventually turn black, I was in shock.  This can't be happening!?  Trying to soak up as much coffee as I could with the paper towels, I noticed the back up drive on my kitchen table and realized I had forgotten to back up yesterday.  In fact I hadn't backed up in months!  

To much in panic mode to even cry, I began to plan my next move.  "I'll go the mac store...see if they can do anything."  "It will be fine", I kept affirming, "It will be fine."  But as you could of guessed my laptop did not survive.  I can still remember the look on the techies face when he said, "There is nothing we can do, and the chances we can get anything off the drive are slim to none."  So not only was my laptop dead...all my files were as well.  

I remember slowly walking back to my car, putting the laptop down in the passengers seat, sitting down, shutting the door and crying.  I mean the kind of cry that releases every emotion you have all at once.  "It's all gone!" I kept saying. "It's all gone!"  "All the pictures, songs, lyrics, poems, my book. Gone!  Priceless, irreplaceable treasures...all gone!"

As you can imagine, the rest of my Sunday was a blur of tears, cries, shouts and depression.  I hate to admit that the loss of a material possession had me so depressed, but the truth was it wasn't about the laptop at all.  It was about what was on the laptop.  Nothing could replace the hours of written word, recordings, and love that was loaded on to that thing!  

But then God!  

This was the first time God spoke to me through this "tragedy" and it would not be the last.  

I decided to take out my trusty "create" journal.  The one I used to write all my songs and meditations in before I decided to move to the laptop.  As I opened up the drawer of my desk and pulled the journal up, I noticed a pile of printer paper underneath it.  I quickly put down the journal and picked up the pile.  To my amazement and delight it was hard copies of my book and all the most recent songs I had written.  I kid you not!  I had forgotten that two weeks before the laptop "spill incident", I had printed out all my work in an attempt to organize it and getting ready for publish and copy write.  I did not know at the time the real reason God had me print those papers out until that moment.  

I fell to my knees in praise! The work I had done for His glory was redeemed.  I didn't have a laptop, but that didn't mean that His work couldn't be done!

So many of us think that we have to have special equipment to do the work of the Lord.  But the truth is: God is not impressed with how we get His work done, He only cares that it gets done.  It's not about the HOW; it's about the WHY.  

We have a responsibility as children of God to share all that He has done for us.  To partner with Jesus in sharing the good news of salvation.  

HOW you do that is up to you; but WHY you do it should alway be Jesus.

We are all called to lead by His example and do what we can, in everything we do to reach the lost through love and acceptance. 

You may not have the money or equipment to publish your words on paper.  But you can share them in your small group or with a friend.  You may not have the means to record an album.  But you can sing and share your praise at your church.  You don't have to be reaching people at a global level to make difference. Reach out to your local community.  Share with your friends, family and colleagues.  Encourage them to share with theirs.  

You may find that God's word has reached the globe quicker than you think.  

Don't Just Sit Idle

"For it is by grace you have been saved(and made partakers of Christ's salvation AMP); through faith- and this is NOT from yourselves, it is the Gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God predestined for us to do."Ephesians 2:8-10

God has work for you to do!  He has chosen you, yes YOU, to do good works.  Which He has prepared already, in advance, ahead of time, for us to do!  If we know the grace of God; than He has saved us without desertion and by no work of our own; and we have been made a NEW creation.  Through this gift of God we have been called to be partakers or PARTNERS of and in Christ's Salvation!

What does that mean exactly?

That we have been called to PARTNER with Christ IN His work of salvation, NOT just receive it!

God did not save us so that we could just sit idly on the revelation of His awesome and free salvation!  He has called us to partner with Him in His good works, partner with Him in sharing the truth about His salvation, and has predestined for all of us what those works are.

So for those of you who have been wondering what your calling in life is?...I have news for you!  Read the bold text above one more time.  That's it!  That statement is the foundational calling of all God's children. Amen?

Now you may be thinking, yes I know that, but how do I do that?

I'm not a preacher.
I'm not a singer.
I'm not a teacher.
I'm not a missionary.

I'm just me...

And you are absolutely right.  We all have different gifts, and there are many parts in one body. But let me tell you something that may change how you feel.

God is not impressed with WHAT WE DO but WHY WE DO!

Children of God, this is NOT about us!  This is about Jesus!  And what did Jesus do?  He came to serve and save the lost!  We are not called to condemn and judge; we are called to love and save!

So how do we do that exactly?  

1. We Must Walk in Love:

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." 1John 4:12

"Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance." Ephesians 5:1 & 2(AMP)

2. We Must Bear Good Fruit:

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last."John 15:16

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man REMAIN IN ME and I in him. he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing...If you remain in me and MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU, ask whatever you wish and will will be given to you...As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now REMAIN IN MY LOVE.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love." John 15:4-10

3. We Must Share The Good News: 

"He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

4. We Must Serve:

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Mark 10: 43-45

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

So brothers and sisters, I challenge YOU!

Do NOT sit idle a moment longer.  Partner with Jesus! Partner with all of us! Let us go out in to the world and walk in love, bear good fruit, share the GOOD news, and serve one another by putting their lives before ours.  Amen!