Saturday, March 14, 2020

GOD’S TEMPLES

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 41-43

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Looking towards the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, you can see an entrance where visitors can go deep into King Solomon’s Quarries, also known as Zedekiah’s Cave. The stones for Solomon’s Temple are believed to have been hewn from this quarry around 970 BC (1 Kings 6:1). As evident in today’s reading, God pays careful attention to detail when giving instructions in the construction of His temples.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Ezekiel 43:5

The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

 

Twenty-five years had passed since the first captives were brought to Babylon from Jerusalem, and approximately ten years since the magnificent Temple built by Solomon had been totally destroyed. Ezekiel’s vision of a new Temple must have brought much-needed encouragement to the Jewish exiles. Daniel, who became governor of one-third of the Persian empire, would have read Ezekiel’s writings and perhaps had these words in mind as he opened his window three times each day and prayed while looking in the direction of Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10-13). No doubt the content of Daniel’s prayers would have included the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of the glory of the Lord to the Jerusalem Temple. A suggested New Testament reading could be Hebrews 9:6-28.

We, as believers in Jesus, the One of whom John wrote, should be able to say with John, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14b). In Scripture, we are called God’s temples in which He dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God, who pays such close attention to the details of a building as described by Ezekiel, surely pays close attention to the building of His human temples. God has a design blueprint for our individual lives, His temples!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You have a plan for my life, and You are in the construction business. I welcome You to take complete charge of my life, Your temple. I pray that as a “living stone” I’ll not walk away from You as You place me where You want me (read 1 Peter 2:4-7). Lord Jesus, You are the “Chief Cornerstone,” and I pray in Your Name. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve had the privilege of visiting some of the great cathedrals of Europe, marvelling at the overall grandeur and also at the amazing attention to detail. The sculptures depicting Bible stories are everywhere. These visuals taught Bible stories to generations of people who were unable to read the Scriptures for themselves. I think that the construction of the Jerusalem Temples had the same visual purpose. As a 10 and 11-year-old boy, I had a job after school delivering letterhead stationery to Members of Parliament in Ottawa. The print shop would pay me a few cents for each delivery. Up the elevators and down the bannisters I would go, all the time learning from the amazing features of the buildings and sculptures which taught me some of the history of Canada.

Yours for following God’s detailed plans for all His temples, including each one of us,

David

21 thoughts on “Saturday, March 14, 2020

  1. Powerful scripture, prayer and message. We are God’s living temples. He is the Christ within us. The Spirit lifted us up and brought us into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. That is us, indeed saints. In prayer, this morning, the power of God’s Spirit is lifting us up and brings us there–into the inner court of His Being. Through our connection of prayer with Him, behold, the glory of the Lord fills the temple. He fills our hearts. He fills our minds. He fills our entire being. How powerful is that? It is mind boggling that we are connected with God’s Spirit. Thank You God for being with us, especially at this crucial time of isolation for many individuals around the world. For those who feel alone and lost, reach out and grab onto the cloak of Jesus. Be in prayer with Him and His Spirit will fill you, lift you up and give you hope. Amen. God bless you fellow saints.

    The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

    John Cale – Hallelujah (Lyrics)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DinEKqtCDkg

  2. Thank you Beverlee for your thoughts and prayers, it is wonderful to have support at this crucial time. I love what you said about reaching out and grabbing the cloak of Jesus. I am overwhelmed with love for Him my Lord and Saviour.
    . Edward and I are debating whether we should go to Church tomorrow. Our boys think we should stay home for the next 2 weeks (not just from Church) because of Edwards leukemia. We will be sensible and we can-also hear the sermon later tomorrow as our Church has a podcast.
    Keep safe everyone, I am remembering that God is in control not us. Blessings Eleanor M.

    • Stay safe at home with Edward, Eleanor. Our physical church service has been cancelled for tomorrow and a service will be put on line only. Having large gatherings is more dangerous for spreading germs for everyone but especially those like your husband who has a lower immune system and for older individuals. God bless you both.

      • Thanks Beverlee and Deanna for advice and prayer. I received an update from out Pastor awhile ago. Saying that all seniors activities are cancelled and those who are vulnerable shoulld stay home from church. That was just a confirmation as I had decided that we should stay home anyway. God is so good all the time.
        I will pray for Doreen and her sister and also Ger’s brother. Hope everyone is safe as we go through this together.

  3. Thank you for your encouraging words and powerful prayers, Beverlee. Praying for you and Edward, Eleanor, that you will be led by the Spirit to make the right decision regarding tomorrow, etc. That we all will have God’s wisdom and guidance at this time.
    Been catching up a bit on past comments. Praying for your dear brother, Ger, that he will come to know the joy and peace of knowing the Lord.
    It is at such a time as this that hearts will be more open than ever before to receive the Gospel of hope and salvation. Let us continue to lift up our precious unsaved loved ones whom we’ve been praying for, perhaps for a long time. Our love and our faith, without fear, will speak to many. I believe with all my heart, that our God will bring great salvations, and great glory to Himself out of these darker days.

  4. Our small church will be closed for 3 weeks & 2 other large churches I visit are also closed. So much negativity on tv also. I may be prevented from helping (feeding) my sister @ a nursing home. Yesterday I had to be seen by a person all gowned & masked before entering. This is emotionally hard on me as my sister has no understanding of what is going on. She won’t understand why or where I am. I place her completely in God’s hands. I have a couple of family members who are away from the Lord & I ask for miracles for them and blessings for all family, friends, & acquaintances. Also for Ann & Ravi Zacharias

    • Lord God, we join Doreen in prayer. We ask for You to be with her dear sister when she is unable to visit, that others there will keep her busy and that she won’t be confused by the changes. We pray for all our friends and family members who are unsaved and need to know You, Lord. Come into their hearts in a miraculous way. And we bring Ravi Zacharias and his wife Ann before You, Lord. Bring physical strength and rest to Ravi while easing his pain; and much comfort to his wife and family. He has been such a blessing to so many in the world. Amen.

      • Thanks Beverlee. I was not allowed to go into the nursing home. My sister is totally helpless from deterioration & brain damage. It is hard to get her to enjoy things. She just loves to enjoy people’s company. She must be fed puréed food & teeth cleaned etc. I’m emotionally stressed.

        • All you can do is trust in your God right now, Doreen and ask Him to take good care of her while you cannot visit. He will never leave her nor forsake her, you can rest assured.

  5. Amen, I agree with all your beautiful prayers today. This is my brother Vinal’s 79th birthday. I tried to visit him today but was prevented by very icy roads but God has His perfect timing. Am much in prayer and may God answer all your prayers. Amen!

  6. Dear Lord God, thank You for being in charge of everything from the grand to the small. You are Lord of all. Thank You for the United States still holding onto its Christian values. Thank You for our American neighbours who have declared tomorrow to be a National Day for Prayer in response to this coronavirus outbreak.
    Thank You for hearing the cries of Your people throughout this world. Thank You for opening the doors for Your Word to go out clearly, and for calling people to Yourself.
    We ask that You move people in this country also to take seriously the Biblical foundations of our land: the supremacy of God and the rule of law, applied equally to all. Please raise up Godly leaders in Canada, filled with wisdom, grace and truth. We need You, Lord, and we ask that You help this country to submit to Your rule, in Jesus’s great name, amen

  7. Good decision,Elenor.A close friend in Hamilton said they have closed their building down,not meeting for coffee.She a very spiritual,charismatic mentor also.She just moved there and I don’t think she has found a church yet.God will lead her to something good…as always.
    We have cancelled our singing at nursing homes for the time being too.Alcohol and hand sanitizer can’t be found in stores around here.I use bleach and water on my counter tops.
    God bless you all for your prayers for others.I have to get to bed.Been at the hospital (again today) since noon with Rev Fortier and his wife.He has a hernia and is probably just arriving at the Hfx Infirmary where he will be operated on tomorrow.He has a leaky heart valve which is the reason he was sent there.We are going down in the morning.He is not worried and I have felt at peace about this too but please pray for them both.He is 85 but in good shape.They are ‘the salt of the earth’.God bless

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