Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday April 25, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of I Kings. Please read chapters 6-8 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%206-8&version=9

Today's Message: Spiritual Worship
No matter how beautiful a church looks, it does not mean that God's presence is there. A church is just a building, it is the spirit filled members of the church that brings His presence.

480 years after the Israelites were freed from Egypt, King Solomon began construction of the Temple, also known as the House of the Lord. "And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD." (I Kings 6:1). The Temple was built from stones that were already shaped so that no noise was made by the craftsmen as they constructed it, it took eleven years to complete. "And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building..............And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it." (6:7,38). This is a reminder for us to realize that we can not rush spiritual progress. We are being transformed into the likeness of Christ, not by noisy human efforts, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Day by day, God places a stone on His Temple, whom we are, which transforms us into the likeness of Christ.

No other building in the world compared with Solomon's Temple. The most costly materials and treasures were lavished upon it, but the world observed only the external beauty of the Temple. It's true glory was in the presence of God who chose to dwell within the Holy of Holies. "There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD." (I Kings 8:9-11).

Today, every child of God is more precious to our Heavenly Father than Solomon's Temple was since we are the temple of God. Every day is a sacred trust that becomes more meaningful with the awareness that the God of heaven lives within every believer. The miracle of the new birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit are the differences between the true Christian and the religious world.

As the people stood in the courtyard and worshiped the Lord, Solomon stood on a platform and prayed the longest recorded prayer in the Bible, praising God for His faithfulness. "And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.............Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day." (8:22-24,61).

The Israelites were chosen to let the world know there is only One True God. Buddha, Allah, and all other "gods" are false gods for only One God is the The Creator of all things. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1:16). The One True God includes all three persons of the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus, who is God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. A Christian's daily conversation and conduct should express love and loyalty to only the One True God. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:5-6).

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
You know the very intention of all that I say and do. As I invite You to examine my heart, I lay before You the people and pursuits that drive me further away from a heart of worship. You have not removed me bodily from this world, but You have raised me up spiritually to abide in Your presence even as I carry out my daily duties. As Your presence graciously overshadows me it is there that Your love and faithfulness sustains me and gives me a true heart of worship. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net