Dedicating the Temple - Encouragement Café - May 31, 2018
Dedicating the Temple
By Luann Prater
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 2 Chronicles 6:14 NIV
We are God's temple. That is a concept that is easy to forget, for me anyway. I make decisions every day based on what sounds good, smells good, tastes good and feels good without ever giving a thought that the Spirit of the Almighty God dwells inside this body!
Sometimes I think my mind IS the sea of forgetfulness! Things that enter are sometimes never seen or heard from again.
God has me in 2 Chronicles chapter 6 when Solomon dedicated the temple he built for God. I see some parallels. Maybe you will too.
I try to hear God's Voice in the words I read. What is He saying to me through this verse or passage? I'll give you a glimpse into the nuggets I pulled from verses 13-25. Read them and see if God whispers some of these into your heart as well. Replace my name with yours.
Luann, are you rushing through prayer to move on to your to-do list? Consider what/who you have put on My Throne. Consider what/who is taking your time, energy, resources and love besides Me.
Then will you abandon it/them and replace it/them with the only One who loves you wholeheartedly? I want you to get up and run the race with all that energy you've been using on everything/everyone else!
Luann, why are you anxious or worried about anything? I have carried you this far. I have no intentions of dropping you now! Have I not been faithful so far? Trust Me with your tomorrows.
Now Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, “You shall never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons are careful in all they do to walk before me according to my law, as you have done.” And now, O Lord, God… 2 Chronicles 6:16-17 NIV
Solomon's request was urgent – NOW –
IF ONLY says I have a huge part to play in whether God can bless me with His promises –
if only I obey Him.
What promises have I made to you, Luann? Ask Me to fulfill them now. A future and hope.
Present your temple to Me holy. Sacrifice striving for other fulfillment and empty yourself before Me so My Spirit can inhabit you completely. If the heavens cannot contain My Spirit, there is surely no room for anything else in you besides Me!
Luann, have you made a practice of getting in My Presence and crying out to Me for mercy? Or have you been arrogantly going about your days as if you are the god of your own universe?
Come to Me with a contrite heart. See the reality that I AM GOD and you are not. Then plead your case and ask for mercy.
Did you catch the day and night part, Luann? Yes, always. Hard for you to grasp I know, but understand that I see and know what is happening with you all the time. Your victories and heartaches, your cares and concerns, even when you contemplate sin, I see it.
I am here waiting for your cry for help. I won't force My way or My will on you, but trust Me, My way is infinitely better. I'm here listening. Go ahead, cry to Me.
Luann, are you praying? Really? You limit our time together. I am waiting to hear, forgive and supply. You need only ask. You make quick decisions that affect others.
Do not make promises lightly. When you say you will do something, do it!
Satan wants to defeat you, Luann. He longs to separate you from Me and My Word. Don't let him. Turn and confess. Pray to Me.
Don't be stubborn, digging your heels in, thinking you can make it right, if you're given enough time. You can't. History has proven it. I'm waiting to bring you back, but the first move is yours.
Did you replace my name with yours? Did God whisper things into your heart besides what I heard? Won’t you write them down and spend time today reflecting on them? If you would like to share, please do.
Lord, forgive my stubborn heart and controlling ways. Take this day and mold it. Fill my empty places with Your Spirit. Empower me with Your Strength. Bind Your Truth to the walls of my mind like graffiti that cannot be washed away. Allow Your Love to pour out of me and onto others You place in my path today. I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.
© 2018 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
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