Holy Spirit – Page 5 – Word for the Soul

God’s Temple

January 16, 2024January 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” 1 Kings 6:7 NIV

The Old Testament Jewish Temple is where God met with His people. It was the worship center for the Jewish people. The temple was built during King Solomon’s reign, taking seven years to complete. Careful considerations were taken for the sacredness of the project. They were building a house for the Lord God, His Holy Presence will be there. 1 Kings 6:7 tells us that they prepared the stone blocks at the quarry away from the Temple site, WHY, so that “no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” The Holiness of God’s presence, even future at that point, was recognized and respected.

The New Testament informs us that believers in Jesus Christ have a body that is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NIV)

So, the question for us is: What noises are we allowing to enter the temple? Noises that affect our relationship with Him. Noises that are contrary to His Holiness. Noises that forfeit our ability to glorify God by bringing harm to our bodies. May we recognize the Holiness of God and bring Honor and Glory to His Name through our bodies.

Devotionals

Hope for Restoration

January 12, 2024January 11, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’” Isaiah 35:1-2a, 4 NLT

There is an abundant need for restoration in our world today. Relationships in broken families need to be restored. Broken marriages need healing returning to health, strength, and stability. Incarcerated individuals need restoration while in prison and when released back into society. Those who have fallen into addiction of drugs, alcohol, pornography, or gambling are in dire need of restoration. Most governments around the globe have fallen far from the original intent of the law. Societal ills are the major cause of broken relationships, crime, addictions, and corrupt governments. And sin is the cause of all our societal ills including each of us who are estranged from God. But there is hope, hope for restoration.

The prophet Isaiah writes about a future day of restoration for the nation of Israel and the world during the Millennium period when Christ will rule on the earth. There will be no societal ills to worry about-no addictions, broken families, or corrupt governments. “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’” (Is. 35:4 NLT) It is a comfort to know all will be restored in the future, but what about now you may say, where is my hope for restoration?

Our hope for restoration in the here and now begins with the forgiveness of sins as we confessed them to God. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 Jn. 1:9 NLT) Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (5:17 NLT) As a new person in Christ the Holy Spirit comes upon you to assist in your struggles within your family, your temptations, and your addictions. (1 Cor. 6:19)

God is in the business of restoration, so there is your hope for restoration. “Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!” (Is. 35:1-2a NLT)

Read Isaiah 35, Hope for Restoration: Isaiah 35 NLT – Hope for Restoration – Even the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Jesus; The Lord of the Temple

November 3, 2023November 2, 2023 Loring Schultz

“He said to them, The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13 NLT

For centuries theologians have debated the authenticity of Jesus Christ. Is he truly God in the flesh, the God-man, or is he just a good-man? Whichever side one is on all would agree that he was a good man. More would go on to say he was a mighty prophet, a great teacher, and one who could do great things. We still have the debate going on today in the 21^st century. I find it amazing for those who say they believe the Bible is the word of God, yet doubt many portions of it such as Jesus’s own words in John 8:58, “…….I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” (NLT) Jesus declared Himself to those who doubted to be Yahweh, the Lord of the Old Testament who eternally self-existed.

During Jesus’s three years of ministry before He went to the cross He made several references to God being His Father and being equal to Him. When questioned by the rulers of the Jews in order to accuse and attack Him, Jesus told them, “The Father and I are one” (Jn. 10:30) They knew what He meant proclaiming to be equal with God picking up stones in order to stone Him for blasphemy. Another occasion occurred the day after Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem when He went into the temple. Jesus had witnessed the buying, selling and exchanging of money permitted outside the temple area for travelers coming a great distance for the Passover had made its way inside the temple sacred courts. Not only was business being conducted, but deceptive means were being used to cheat the pilgrim travelers.

Scripture tells us Jesus drove out those desecrating the temple with authority. “He said to them, The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Mt. 21:13 NLT) Jesus had the authority to do so because He is the Lord of the temple. In the same respect scripture also tells us, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NLT) May we be careful not to desecrate our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and remember who is the Lord of the temple.

Read Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus clears the temple: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+21%3A12-17&version=NLT