A Reflection of God's Glory

 

God is always waiting with open arms to embrace us at any moment in which we care to cast our self on Him. He inhabits eternity and uses all of His power and authority to meet the needs of our body, soul and spirit.

As we walk as a fragrant gift in surrender to God’s will, we savor the sweet love, which Christ gives to us (Ephesians 5:1-2). He is our strong tower and our everlasting Father. Even if we fall, we are never utterly cast down, because He sustains us in His hand (Psalm 37:24; Song of Solomon 8:3).

God made a new covenant with us; different than the one He made with those who lived during the Old Testament times. He created this new covenant in Christ; and it gives us all of the rights and privileges of His spirit-filled, adopted heirs.

God's Spirit transforms us through the experiences we have each day. He teaches us through our participation in life to trust God, because of His faithfulness to us. As the Holy Spirit directs us, we learn to lay our life down for God as Christ did.

We learn of Jesus' character and divine nature through His inspired Words in the Bible (2 Peter 1:4). We read about Saints of old who actually experienced face-to-face encounters with Him. We learn to trust Him with our life, because they did (Exodus 24:15-17).

He satiates us through all of our being with all of His fullness and we grow in our intimacy with Him on a daily basis (Ephesians 3:16-19, Amplified Bible). Our love relationship deepens as we focus on Him and totally surrender every aspect of our life to Him.

Prayer:

Father God, Jesus was in Your very form and equal to You even while He existed in this earthly realm (Philippians 2:6). This same glory abides within each Believer due to Christ abiding in us (Colossians 1:15). In Christ there is no fading of Your glory as was Moses' experience after his time with You on the mountain (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Remind us that our words and behavior are also a reflection to the world of Your character. If we walk in the flesh, we tarnish Your name and cause people to speak evil of You. Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake (Psalm 23:3). Help us to reflect Your glory so they will see Your power and majesty and come to believe in You as we do.

Thought for the Day:

God fellowshipped with man in the Garden of Eden during the cool of the day, from the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, and now through Jesus as He dwells in the spirit of every authentic Believer. - Genesis 3:8; Exodus 2:21-22, 33:11

A Building Made without Human Hands

David wanted to build God a proper house on this earth in which He could visit His people. David's heart continually focused on God, and he realized that he lived in a palace and God still dwelt in a tent from Israel's days in the wilderness (Acts 13:22).

As a man of war, David was disqualified from building this holy place (1 Chronicles 28:2-3). Yet, God allowed David to gather the materials and for his son Solomon to build this grand palace for the Lord.

When they completed the temple, God's glory filled the Holiest Place and He spoke to His chosen people (2 Chronicles 5-7). His main request was that Israel repent of all sin and to live holy before Him.

Characteristically, Israel sinned before the Lord, and God did as He warned them that He would do. He anointed a warring country to destroy the temple and to take the people captive.

Yet, God allowed a faithful remnant of His people to eventually return to the chosen land. 

They were able to rebuild Jerusalem and a smaller temple. This actually grieved those who experienced the former glory, which they lost because of their sin (Ezra 3:12).

God's plan all along was to build a house for Himself using living stones, acceptable to Him through our relationship with Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-12). We are His temple, and His Spirit dwells in our midst (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The building where the church meets is not holy nor is it God's house. It is simply a place for Believers to actively worship God who dwells within us. God's Spirit builds Believers together into a holy dwelling place for Him (Ephesians 2:22; Hebrew 3:6).

Heaven is God's throne and the earth is His footstool. There is no temple grand enough for us to build for Him, which is more awesome than the myriad of galaxies, which He created (Isaiah 66:1; Genesis 1:1).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us that our behavior is a reflection on You (Psalm 23:3, 1 Timothy 3:14-15). You are holy and You call us to be holy as well (1 Peter 1:16). You want us to have clean hands before we lift them up in worship to You (Psalm 24:1-6, 134:2).

Search the hidden recesses of our inner being and see if there is any wicked way in us, and lead us in Your everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24). Heal us from the deep wounds inflicted on us by other people (Proverbs 18:8). Fill us instead by Your deep, spiritual riches (Proverbs 24:4).

Thought for the Day:

God never wanted to dwell in buildings made with human hands; but in the hearts of His People. - Acts 17:24

More Intimacy with God

 

I want more intimacy with God. I do not want more of His power to do great works, or more of His blessings to enjoy a better life, or more of His authority to hold a position of importance.

I just want more intimacy with my Father, King and Lord. As Desert Skies sings, “I want to feel His hands on my soul, molding me into grace, to be a reflection of His holy face.”

We do not have to perform some task to enjoy an intimate union with Him. We simply sit at His feet (Luke 10:42). We are human “beings”, not human “doings”.

We take the time to look into His benevolent face and whisper words of love or shout our gratitude from the rooftops. We praise Him and give Him all the glory.

We follow the example of the psalmist and sing of His excellent love, impartiality, power, goodness, etc. The list is eternal (Psalm 59:16, 89:1, 100:5).

One way to have more intimacy with God is to give God more intimacy with us. We can have fun as a child of our Father and enjoy spending time with Him.

We chat with Him throughout our day even about the mundane issues we are facing or the most boring of chores or responsibilities.

We ask His advice about hurdles we encounter, the best way to perform a task and about interpersonal relationships.

As we follow the leading of God’s Spirit, even our most insignificant acts of kindness or service can make the biggest difference in the eternal destiny of our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.

Regardless of our circumstances, we can spend time worshipping our Savior and King, our Creator and God, our Comforter and Guide. This may not resolve our issues, but it changes our attitude and focus about them.

Prayer:

Father God, our soul thirsts for You, our Living God (Psalm 42:2). Our flesh cries out for You, and we attentively seek You (Psalm 63:1). You are so real to us that we can almost taste and see that You are good (Psalm 34:8). We love you with our whole heart.

Teach us to walk in peace instead of stress, joy in place of concern, and holiness rather than carnality. Give us Your wisdom, agape love, grace and mercy as we function in this life. Provide us with Your salvation, so we can spend our life with You throughout eternity.

Thought for the Day:

God rejoices over His loved ones with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

Desert Skies: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Skies/56135996899