"STRENGTH AND BEAUTY ARE IN HIS TEMPLE" *PASTOR CHRIS* MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2013 Honour and majesty surround him: strength and beauty are in his Temple (Psalm 96:6 TLB). Inspired by his love for the Lord, David wished to build Him a magnificent temple. However, the Lord didn’t let him build the temple, because he (David) was a man of war; rather, it was his son, Solomon, who eventually built the temple. Nonetheless, David made elaborate plans and detailed arrangements for the building of the temple: he laid aside lots of gold and silver to be used in building "God’s house." Why? The answer is what we read in our opening verse: "strength and beauty are in His temple." Howbeit, Luke’s account of Stephen’s defence of the Gospel before the high priest in Acts 7:48 reveals a striking thought. It says, "…the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands…." 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" You’re the temple of the Holy Spirit; and if strength and beauty are in His temple, then strength and beauty are in you! Praise God! This is why it’s so important for us to keep winning souls, because every human being that is won to Christ becomes His temple. Beyond that, every individual Christian—everyone that has come to Christ—is a part of the great temple of God; the mystical body of Christ: "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27). As members of that body, we’re being built by the Word into a magnificent temple, Jesus Christ Himself, being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). PRAYER Dear Father, thank you for making me an effective soul winner, building lives with your Word into a magnificent temple, where your glory, majesty and honour can be displayed for the world to see, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 2:19-22 New Life Version (NLV) 19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God’s family. 20 This family is built on the teachings of the missionaries and the early preachers. Jesus Christ Himself is the cornerstone, which is the most important part of the building. 21 Christ keeps this building together and it is growing into a holy building for the Lord. 22 You are also being put together as a part of this building because God lives in you by His Spirit. DAILY SCRIPTURE READING 1 Year Reading Plan : 1 Corinthians 16:1-24, Proverbs 10-11 2 Year Reading Plan : Luke 20:19-26, 1 Samuel 21
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:46:48 +0000