Author: Lynden McGriff

 

With the coming  of advent and the Christmas season I have had time to reflect on the trueness of the season.  Christ is the reason for the season, but his presence is the culmination of reconciliation with the father through the spirit.  God the spirit had been separated from us since the garden of Eden and now He has reconciled himself with us to be in fellowship with us eternally and forever.

In the traditional sense of conflicts and tell: Man and God, Man and community, Man and self.  Christ presence is restoring all the relationships in which we have had: humanity’s relationship with God, humanity’s relationship with others, and our relationship with ourselves. Before Christ came into our lives there was division that was unreconciled. Confusion and the distance that we had in relationship with God and others, and ourselves was never able to be fully reconciled. But with Christ, being born, we now have the ability to be reconciled with , all our relationships.

My daughters were in a ballet production that was depicting the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The main theme of the renowned story is how we sometimes can lose our perspective on our relationships and allow other things to replace our relationships. But things can be replaced, but individuals cannot.

During this Christmas season, let us reflect on our relationships. Christ has  given us the ability to reconcile all of our relationships no matter what has happened. It takes a point of maturity to be able to fully understand how love conquers all. This is not to say that we will forget some of the atrocities and the hardships that we have encountered, but this does allow us to release ourselves from the anguish of regret and grief.

Maybe celebrate this Christmas, and all the Christmases to come with a renewed understanding of how to reconcile a relationships. Not just at this time of year, but throughout the year. There are many things that happened to us that we wish have not happened to us, but we cannot let those experiences damper our relationship with others and our relationship with ourselves and our relationship with God. We can reconcile our relationships and our outlook on life each day with Christ in our heart.

Merry Christmas.

Be blessed.

Today’s Reading: Job 12-14; Psalms 100; Revelation 13

The passages for today taken individually can be a little disjointed, but when you are looking with a new prescriptive with the Spirit, these passages relate the true meaning of the bible and the gospel:  No matter what has happened or will happen, give thanks to God for His benevolence and grace.  

Psalms 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2  Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Job 12:1-4

Then Job answered and said:

2 “No doubt you are the people,  and wisdom will die with you.

3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know such things as these?

4 I am a laughingstock to my friends;  I, who called to God and he answered me,
    a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.

Job 13: 1-4

“Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know;  I am not inferior to you.

3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.

Job 14:1-4

“Man who is born of a woman  is few of days and full of trouble.

2 He comes out like a flower and withers;  he flees like a shadow and continues not.

3 And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you?

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.

Revelation 13:1-2

The First Beast

13 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 

Throughout these passages, there are so many circumstances that create unrest and confusion in the authors and the audiences.  The passages show that there is a mirage of things that we can go through on a daily basis, but we have to understand that there is a purpose in all that we experience and allow the Spirit to reveal God’s presence in the storms.  

Be Blessed. 

 

Today’s Reading: Esther 7-10; Revelations 3

The book of Esther is one of renowned understanding of how to use words, and how to use respectful silence to move mountains. In the book of Esther, we see an orphan who is given an opportunity to rise above her station. She’s given an opportunity to allow God to work in her life without trying to live according to her own agenda.   Esther had a great understanding of the importance of observation and willingness to submit to God’s will and authority.  The way that Esther accomplished this is using her words and influence.

Each day, we all want to have our voice heard. In most interactions that we have we want our intentions known and we want to be noticed.  We do not want to be left out of the conversation.  We don’t want to feel uninvited or unimportant.  We want to be a part of the conversation and the community.  Many times we aware of what’s going on,  but many times we may have misinformed and try to communicate our desires and feelings which are completely off-base.  Esther in our passage has an excellent understanding of when to use her influential words and when to allow the king to use his own understanding.

Throughout the last chapters of Esther, Esther uses her connection with the king to change the course of history. She allows her words to help guide the king to protect her people. What Esther does is not being over, powerful or brash, but she uses her words at the correct time with the correct tone to influence the king to save her people. She also uses her words to elevate her people and protect her people as well.

Esther is an amazing example of how meekness can be a powerful force.  Esther saved her people without the harshness of the world.  She shows us how gentleness is a force to change the hearts of the most powerful people.

“And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/est.7.2-4.ESV

She knows how to speak to the king, because she had seen the wrath of that king for many years.  She understood that her station could be changed at the slightest change in the king’s countenance.  She understood that the main focus was not on her, but in a bigger purpose.  She understood that she was part of God’s plan for something special. She was part of the future of the people, which would lead to our salvation.

Can we be more like Esther?  Can we set aside our own ambitions and words to allow God to use us as he needs? Can we choose to be slow to speak and allow God to work in our favor for his good and not out satisfaction of being correct?

Be blessed

Today’s Reading : Ezra 1-2; John 21

“Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Being a dad, I’m often asked “what about him/what about her?”  The kids are always wondering if the other siblings are getting something more or better than the other.  As a manager, this question comes up constantly,  “what about this person?  Why don’t they have to do the same things that I have to do?”

In our world we have become so accustomed to comparing ourselves and situations with others. I have been here many times comparing myself to others, but as I have grown and matured, I have a better understanding that the world is big enough for everyone.  

In today’s passages in Ezra and John,  there are a lot of opportunities to push through your circumstances or dwell on the blessings of others.  In Ezra, the people of Israel are coming out of exile and are given their inheritance by rank and connection to their families.   There is a part in the second chapter where there is not a clear connection with the families and the people can be separated, but everyone is granted access to the reclaimed promise, but not all of the status as wanted. 

“The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers’ houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭2‬:‭59‬, ‭62‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In John, this is the last recorded interaction with Jesus, Peter, and John.  This particular passage resonates so well with me and many times in my life.  Over the years, I have had awakenings and then I have reverted back to the old ways.  We can see this with the disciples.  They have had an amazing awakening and have seen the risen Christ and have decided to go back to their previous ways, fishing.   They have seen Christ several times before and have received their blessings, but returned to their previous lives and paths.  How many times have I had a revelation and returned to my previous path… too many times. 

In the last scene,  Jesus, Peter, and John are in the same vicinity.   Jesus has just given Peter his final assignment and action plan….

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him,“Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

But the one thing that is on Peter’s mind is “ what about him [John]?”  So we have been given these gifts, but at the end of the day, we are still wondering what about “him”? In our flesh we are always thinking about the other person and not about the awesome gift that we have been given.  We have to see with new eyes through the Spirit,  the beauty and joy that has been given directly to us.  We have to be able to lift up each other in spirit and be happy in the midst of our friends’ joy, then only can we be able to truly experience the journey that God has in store for us.  

Be blessed 

 

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 1-3, John 1

Have you ever been given an assignment in school or in your career which may seem insurmountable?  While working  with my children on their homework,  they are excited or frustrated with some of the homework. These are new concepts to them that they do not understand and are trying to piece them together.  As a a dad, I find how to solve the question or how to understand the question. In my job, I have puzzles given to me several times an hour and  these puzzles sometimes are easy to solve, but sometimes they are difficult to solve. Sometimes these puzzles and assignments seem overwhelming, but these do not even compare the assignment that Ezekiel was given from God.

A couple of items that I learned in researching Ezekiel,  1.) Ezekiel was given his vision on his 30th birthday, 2.) Ezekiel was to become a priest for the people, 3.) Ezekiel was in exile when he is getting these visions and assignments. So Ezekiel is in the midst of this major change of his life while he is given a new assignment to go and proclaim to the people about what is going on.

“The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.2.4-7.ESV

One of the main words that I have for Ezekiel is obedience and persistence. Ezekiel is obedient to God by listening to God‘s command and performing his assignment and his job without fail. Ezekiel is even given a mandate that “ the job that you are going to do you’re not going to succeed in. You’re given the job that you’re going to have to continually do the things that I am requesting of you but you may not succeed.” Let that sink in for a moment. You’re given assignment that you know that the outcome may not be favorable but you have to perform the task.

What are the main takeaways from today’s reading is that when given a assignment from God, we have to understand that he will be there for us and that he is able  to uplift us in the midst of the hardship and heartache, and the joys and the trails. We have to learn to rely and rest in him and be diligent workers no matter the assignment.  It will not be easy sometimes, but the reward is worth it. Be blessed.

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 24, 27, 28, 29 ; James 4 

 

…. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope….

 

This is the complete verse 

For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is a difference between what we know, and what is actually there. For the majority of my life, I have known this verse in many many respects. In one of the lowest points of my life and my wife’s life, when my son, Oliver, was a baby and we did not know if he was going to survive the next day or the next hour, a friend of ours gave us this verse to meditate on and to find strength. This verse is very powerful and it has so many deep meanings as well. But as I was reading and meditating on these passages this week, it has a more profound meaning for me.  This has been a verse in my heart since my childhood, but really held a prominent place during this period of my life. 

The majority of the time we look at this verse in Jeremiah for strength in the midst of our adversities and our weaknesses. But when we really look at the full scope of this, it gives us even more peace. It shows us that God is actually preparing things way in advance for us. He knows what’s happening far in advance. At this point, Jeremiah is telling the people about their exile and  about the people who will come and conquer them, and how God will make provisions for them. God is also showing how He will bring the people out of the exile. He even tells them specific times and how God will release everybody from exile.  

In the 24th chapter of Jeremiah, we see how God is selecting us, who are his children to be protected in the midst of adversity. He shows that doing and before the exile how he protects his figs or his people.

“After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the Lord showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the Lord. One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In Jeremiah , we have a glimpse of what is happening to the exile individuals that go into Babylon. He specifically speaks about Nebuchadnezzar . When we reference back to Daniel, we see how God has provided for Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel, in the midst of their exile out in Babylon. In this passage in Jeremiah, he shows how he would already protect them from everything and in this passage and Jeremiah we also see that God uses Nebuchadnezzar for his benefit. 

Whenever I read Daniel, I always would see Nebuchadnezzar as the villain. But this passage in Jeremiah shows how God can use unlikely people in unlikely places to be blessings upon us for his benefit.  

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This passage gives me hope, and makes me smile in the midst of adversity and hardships, which we go through on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Sometimes it can feel insurmountable while we’re in the moment. But then God gives us peace in revelation, and how he will provide for us. In this moment, God is showing us that he has a plan for us before we even could understand it. He had a plan for the people 70+ years before they even knew what was going to happen.  He had a plan for us,  benefiting us through him. He’s not just going to leave it to chance. He has specific plans for us. Let us take solace in his plans for us.

Be Blessed

 

Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 1-3; 2 Corinthians 7 

The past couple of weeks have been very trying for myself and my family. My  family here in Illinois and my family in Texas.  There have been numerous trials and tribulations that we have endured these last couple weeks. Sometimes it feels as if we were in a vacuum and no one else understands what we were going through.  One of the best things that God has given us is the connection with others which allows us to become vulnerable with each other.

Just the other day while chatting with a friend, we were talking about the start of the new school year and homecoming and the need to connect with our kids.  As we spoke we understood that we are going through something very similar.  We are not alone, even if we feel like asking the question “ Are you there?”   We can all feel isolated. 

This is how Habakkuk felt.

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

“The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head.”

We are not alone.  We are not the first to got through this.  We don’t have to endure it by ourselves.   As soon as Habakkuk asks this question God answers.  

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk, with orchestra: God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy. * * *”

 

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain! (For congregational use, with a full orchestra.)”

Whether we receive the answer that we want or not, God gives us peace and joy in His plan and purpose for us.  

Let us remember that God is listening and has resolution and peace for those whom love him.  

Be blessed 

 

 

Today’s Reading : Isaiah 45-48; I Corinthians 13

 

What is the first thing that’s on your mind in the morning? What is the first thing that you do in the morning? Do you sit in your bed, just wondering about today? Do you open up your phone to see what has happened over the evening? Do you open up your Bible app and read the verse of the day?

The things that we put first in our mind, our heart, and in our spirit tells us what we hold most dear. I am guilty of searching for things to take my attention. I have woken up to play games on my phone. I have woken up to read stories on my phone. I woken up to see what has gone on Facebook and other social media the first thing in the morning and throughout the day. But those things take away from my energy.  There have been several times in my life that I’ve had to reset the button and refocus on God and his time in my life.

 

These two passages that we have today’s central theme is: What is In Your Heart. 

 

In Isaiah,  we see God showing us the awesome power that he has and gives us examples.  He is exhibiting to Israel the magnitude of his power compared to the other gods of the land. 

“For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

““Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’””

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We see God is at the center of all of our being.  He is is the one that created and creates constantly for us for his benefit.  He has placed us in the center of his heart since the beginning of time. One illustration is that of the Father he is to us.  From my experience as a father, you will constantly think of your children no matter how old they are or what they have done in their lives.  You will always hold them in your heart regardless of the circumstances and situation.  God holds us in his heart even more profoundly and passionately.  This love is unimaginable. 

 

This passage beautifully dovetails into I Corinthians 13.  This is one of the most cherished and loved chapters in the Bible regarding love.  Revisiting this chapter, I was reminded of several verses from my childhood. The first verse was a constant reminder that my grandmother would use throughout my entire life. The other verses have been used by me and others at different times of my life.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬, ‭8‬, ‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These verses are small pieces to a major idea of God’s connection with us.  When read individually, these words have a big impact, but when read and digested as a whole it is monumental.  Paul is showing us truly how awesome God is.  Even after Paul has been in the presence of Christ and has been in true communion with the God the Spirit (the Holy Spirit), he fully cannot comprehend the full awesomeness of God which is Love. Try to reread this chapter and replace love with God and you can truly see the depth and beauty of the chapter and of life. 

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What is in your heart? What is the first thing that you think about in the morning? Is there a song that you can think of that gets you into the space of love? Is there a verse that you can gravitate to in the morning?   What if you started your day in this manner; how would your day, week, or month change with a renewing of your heart?   

Be blessed

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 23- 25; I Corinthians 3

I love this time of year with the beginning of school. The students are back at school and are ready to learn new and exciting ideas. The teachers are excited to pour their knowledge into the students. And the parents are excited to have some time themselves.

As we transition  back to the learning environment we are once again reminded of intentional reading. During intentional reading,  we can gravitate to pieces of literature that we love: fiction, fantasy and nonfiction, etc.  In these stories, parables, fables, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes the main theme is to communicate the joys, lessons, and the precautions from one generation to the next. In the letter to the Corinthians,  I see a hidden story that most are familiar with: The story of “ The Three Little Pigs”.

I Corinthians 3 : 1- 3

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

 

As you can recall in the story of the three little pigs, there are three young adults who  are off to find their own niche and their own lifestyle. Each of the individual pigs decide to make a house with various materials: straw, wood, and bricks. Over the course of time the big bad wolf blows down the straw house and the wood house.  But he is unable to blow down the house made of brick. The main focus on these individuals is their choice of the building materials.   Sometimes we need easy stories to help us understand complex notions and ideas.  The “ Three Little Pigs’ illustrated the need to have a sound foundation and insight into the builder of our faith structure. 

I Corinthians 3: 10 – 17

 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

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

In the letter Paul is not only telling us to look at the materials, but we have to focus on our architect,  builder, and the  foundation in which we have our faith. When we have a great foundation in Christ, nothing can shake us during the most trying and difficult times. During these unfathomable times, we can depend on Christ to be a foundation to sustain us in everything. But we also have to remember that God is the builder of his temple and dwelling places (our bodies).   Sometimes we forget that God is building us daily.   He is creating in us a structure that is going to be the best reflection of him so others can see his marvelous works. 

We have to remember that the work that God is doing in us may not be seen in our lifetime.  We may be setting up others to continue to show God’s grace and God’s glory.

My family lives in a house that was built in 1927. Sometimes I wonder about the builders of my home. How much thought did they give into the building that they were building ? Did they know that the structure that they built would last for almost 100 years? Did they have the foresight to give their heart and their best effort in creating this structure? Can we allow God to use us in a way that future generations would be able to see God’s grace in their lives? How can we allow God to be the foundation and the builder of our faith that it will stand time?

Be blessed