Temple For Sale?

The word temple can bring to mind glorious, ornate and lavish décor, meticulously cared for architecturally structured buildings. According to WikiAnswers, the word temple appears in the Bible 202 times while the word temples appears nine times.

When I think of brick and mortar temples mentioned in the Bible, I specifically recall two accounts:

1.  The temple of Solomon (I Kings 6-8; 2 Chronicles 3-5). 
2. Jesus driving the moneychangers out of the temple (Mark 11:15; Matthew 21:12; Luke 20:45; John 2:14-16).

Under King Solomon’s rule the temple was built in seven years (1 Kings 6:38). The details, skills and labor required formed a breath-taking structure like none other of its time. After its completion God spoke to Solomon, “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple…(1 Kings 9:3).”

I find the details of proper care for the temple and its temple-keepers (priests--see Leviticus 21 and 22) to be interesting in their specifics and careful instruction. As Christians today, Scripture reminds us:

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 TNIV

Consecrate by definition means to make or declare sacred; to dedicate to religious or divine purpose. Are you making the connection? Each one of us is a temple. How do you care for the temple which is your body?

You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 20:7

Be holy, because I am holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:44

The brick and mortar temple had to be restored to its proper condition (2 Chronicles 24:13). In life today we are permitted to make u-turns. It’s not too late to restore the temple which is your body. Be good to yourself and honor God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This message comes to you from one of God’s temples. This temple's not for sale, its already been bought at a price. ~ Kim

All Things Are Possible With God

Are you pressed on every side? Are you perplexed? Are you persecuted? Are you struck down?

What images come to mind when you think about God being the answer to all your needs? The flesh of me needs to see visual things at times to draw near to God. He plants reminders everywhere because He too, is everywhere!

I was feeling pressed and perplexed so I turned to the comfort of God's Word and was reminded ever so gently:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 TNIV

Jesus looked at them and said, "With human beings this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." ~ Mark 10:27 TNIV

How have you seen God today? What is He revealing to you? Click this link:  I Saw God Today ~ His fingerprints are everywhere. Don't miss out on seeing God today! ~ Kim

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17 TNIV

Q. Pride?

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:12 TNIV 

Why do we compare?

• Let’s compare notes.
• How does this compare to our competitors?
• Compared to thus and such…
• The two don’t even begin to compare…

Comparison can be both good and bad. Take taste and smell. We generally know how certain food items taste and smell, if either of these is off, we know there is danger. This could be called a healthy comparison. However, we tend to hear ourselves and others comparing one another’s looks, manners and abilities and this is not wise.

Many comparisons stem out of pride and this too, can be good and bad. Pride by definition is an inordinate state of self esteem; it is also, a reasonable or justifiable state of self-respect. Compare, if you will, these two examples:

1. The latest movie release is about a character consumed with pride and vanity.
2. As parents of the valedictorian, they showed great pride in their child’s accomplishment.

Whatever we do must be to the glory of God. The apostle Paul reminds us:

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:30 TNIV

God, Himself spoke on boasting.

This is what the Lord says:  “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let those who boast, boast about this; that they understand and know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 9:23-24 TNIV

For it is not those who commend themselves who are approved, but those whom the Lord commends. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:18 TNIV

If pride is the question, humility is the answer! ~ Kim

p.s. "Humility will relieve you of the obligation to promote your own self interests, thereby eliminating the need to strive to prove yourself to others." ~ Unknown

Let's Talk About....

Listen to the word:  hospitality

Spell the word:  H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L-I-T-Y

Use the word in a sentence:  It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.

Hospitality is about:  treatment—reception—disposition.

It is defined as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. It’s also defined as the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

God's Living Word has the following to say about hospitality:

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~ Romans 12:13 TNIV

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~ 1 Peter 4:9 TNIV

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. ~ 3 John 1:7-8 TNIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ~ Hebrews 13:2 TNIV

Hospitality is more than opening your home to others. It’s about opening yourself to relationship with guests as well as that stranger in the store, on the street or sitting across from you in the doctor’s office. Some encounters only come once, seize them and make them memorable.

Now that I’ve given you some food for thought, go out into the world and smile at strangers, make polite conversation while you wait in line at the grocery store and if you’re really feeling it, extend an invitation of yourself in some meaningful way.  ~ XOXOXO—Kim

IN GOD WE TRUST

TRUST. . .

• One in which confidence is placed.

• A charge or duty  imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship.

• Depend.

• To permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving.

• Rely on.

• To hope or expect confidently.

The United States motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" first appeared in 1864 on a two-cent coin due to increased religious sentiment which existing during the Civil War. It wasn't until July 30, 1956 that Congress passed a law making "IN GOD WE TRUST" the United States' national motto.

War is a state of conflict teamed with aggression and disruption. Today, both individuals and nations are fighting all types of wars:  war on crime; war on drugs; wars between nations; war against sickness; the list goes on and on. So, with all of these varying wars going on, is there a current increased religious sentiment? If not, why not?

Scripture reminds of this:

And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." ~ Job 2:2 TNIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 TNIV

With full knowledge that this evil lurks among us, who can you trust?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a citizen of the Kingdom, are you trusting in God? Rely on Him! ~ Kim

Lists Were Meant To Be...

In Their hearts human beings plan their course,

but the LORD establishes their steps.

~ Proverbs 16:9 TNIV

I glance at the list; it's overwhelming.

I can't find the list, I search to no avail.

I start a fresh list on a crisp piece of paper.

Oh, the sanctity and insanity of the list.

The list is me planning my course. Honestly, sometimes, my plans aren't realistic. If God were writing my list, it would be one half of what I cram onto that tiny post it note or recycled scrap of paper. So the list is AWOL and I'm left to search the recesses of my premenopausal mind for some shred of what was scribbled on the list. I write things down because I can't remember them and now, adding insult to the injury of my memory lapses, I can't remember where I put the list. So, I stop.....I cry out the the Master, "Oh, LORD establish my steps." I can make all the plans, all the lists that I want to. In the end, it is My Heavenly Father who guides my steps. Go where God sends you. Godspeed! ~ Kim

ASK!

Why do we put our human limitations on God?

Why do we doubt His faithfulness?

Why are we afraid to ask Him for anything?

I don’t have all the answers.

The Old Testament makes reference to a man named Jabez. That’s it, just this one mention of this particular man.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. ~ 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV

His name literally meant “he will cause pain.” He asked God with a believing heart for very specific things and God allowed his prayer to be fulfilled. What a great example of faith!

Through Scripture we are repeatedly reminded to ask God:

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ~ James 1:6 NIV

I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. ~ John 16:23b-24 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ~ 1 John 5:14 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ~ John 15:7 NIV

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Luke 11:9-10 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” ~ Mark 11:24 TNIV

So, what’s holding you back? ASK! ~ Kim

Prodigal Daughter

I was dubbed "the late bloomer" although the oldest of five. I was walking under tables until about the ripe ol’ age of five and then miraculous I sprouted and went through the gangley pangs of being taller than most boys my age right up until high school. In high school I was considered “a quiet one” but somehow managed to be voted “class favorite” my senior year. I did not date, if fact, I only officially went on one date with a brainy kid destined to top of our class. Now don’t get me wrong, I attended the traditional school events, homecoming, the prom and all that sort of fanfare. In fact, between public school and our church youth group I had a full schedule that kept me out of trouble.

I attended community college until I got the itch to explore the world on my terms. I didn’t want the regiment of school and work, well once I started working, I wanted more and more of the adult life. So, I ventured further and further into the world, and farther and farther away from family and the church.

God is faithful.

…God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13b NKJV

God is patient.

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive. ~ Psalm 86:15 God’s Word Translation

God is compassionate.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. ~ Psalm 116:5 NASB

God is forgiving.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32 NIV

And like the prodigal son, He welcomed His prodigal daughter, yeah me, back into the fold. I am grateful to be a child of the King! ~ Kim

The She Speaks Conference will be held July 22-24, 2011 in Concord, North Carolina. Ann Voskamp, one of the keynote speakers is offering a scholarship opportunity. Sister-bloggers, submit your entry today.