God's Holy Temple

When we examine the history of God's people, the temple becomes a very important figure of God's presence. We are the church living in the middle between the early followers of God and the future glory we will have in heaven. To get a more accurate picture of our relationship with God we need to examine His Temple. It is important to see how the Temple of God changes during the history of human existence.

There are three unique pictures of God's Temple presented in the Bible. First, there is the temple under the old covenant. Then there is the temple presented by the apostles in the New Testament. The final representation of the temple is in heaven as presented by John in Revelation.

God's Children Looking Forward To An Inheritance!

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's then you are Abraham's offspring heirs according to promise." Galatians 3:28, 29

There are powerful thoughts in this short passage of scriptures  that impact our lives for eternity.

1. Faith leads us directly to baptism and at that moment we put on Christ.
2. When we put on Christ we are all one as a part of His family.
3. As a part of His family we have the promise of an eternal inheritance.

Dads Are Important!

We have a number of great dads in this congregation. When I look around the congregation I see both fathers and mothers that love their children and are working hard to raise them in the Lord. I pray that this week you will take a moment to look at the instructions given in Deuteronomy Chapter 6.  Allow these thoughts to control the activities in your home.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all  your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Dean

 

 

Preparing For Battle

We should never take the battle with Satan lightly.  Every day we live; Satan wants our soul.  Every day there is a battle going on and we need to be prepared.  In Ephesians chapter 6 Paul gives us some suggestions about how to prepare.

1. Know the power of the enemy, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
2. Be completely prepared to face the enemy. "Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:10, 11
3. When you are armed and you understand the enemy, then you must pray continuously. "Praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

After services today you will enter the battlefield; are you prepared?

Dean

 

 

When We Stand Before God

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'' Erma Bombeck

Bombeck has given us an interesting thought.  It appears to me that most of us don't realize how much God has given us.  Far too many of us consider ourselves one talent people when God has actually given us many talents.  It only takes a brief reading of Ephesians 3 to realize the incredible wisdom and power God has given to us.  His Holy Spirit indwells in us and works in us every single day of our lives.  The mysteries of His glory and strength are revealed to us through His Word.