"He made two figures like cherubim, overlaid them with gold, and placed them in the Most Holy Place."
1 Chronicles 3:10
1 Chronicles 3:10
My Take Aways
Something Old:
I am God's most holy dwelling place.
1 Corinthians 3:16
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."
Something New:
1 Kings 6:1
The Temple was built 480 years after Israelites were in Egypt.
Something to Do:
I need to take care of my temple.
21 Comments:
Wendy,
When did you change the blog title? I just now noticed it. (Can you tell I'm trying to avoid the temple/body talk?) It's getting late so I will post my comment tomorrow. For now, I am thankful to our sister, Lori (Thanks, Lori!) for inspiring me to walk again. Instead of viewing it as a time of tedious exercise, it is my chance to have my own time with Jesus. It is so refreshing to pray and talk to Him while hearing the birds and feeling the cool afternoon breeze. My left foundation (knee) is hurting a bit but I still press on, albeit slowly.
It's getting late, so I better get this temple to bed. Goodnight and I'll see you tomorrow.
Wow... my comment (and it was a long one) went away! Here I go again.
As I am a visual person, I have a hard time translating measurements to a picture in my mind (Jennifer Renee I am sure you would be able to help me with this). So I am posting a link to some drawings of what Solomon's temple may have looked like...
http://www.crystalinks.com/solomonstemple.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SolomonsTemple.png
This morning I found myself dwelling on Hiram of Tyre; who he was, and what the meaning of Solomon's statement "As you know, there is no one among us who can cut timber like you Sidonians!” meant. Here is an excerpt from the commentaries on this subject (courtesy of David Guzik):
i. "Hiram is an abbreviation of Ahiram which means 'Brother of Ram,' or 'My brother is exalted,' or 'Brother of the lofty one.' . . . Archaeologists have discovered a royal sarcophagus in Byblos of Tyre dated about 1200 b.c. inscribed with the king's name, 'Ahiram.' Apparently it belonged to the man in this passage." (Dilday)
i. "The Sidonians were noted as timber craftsmen in the ancient world, a fact substantiated on the famous Palmero Stone. Its inscription from 2200 b.c. tells us about timber-carrying ships that sailed from Byblos to Egypt about four hundred years previously. The skill of the Sidonians was expressed in their ability to pick the most suitable trees, know the right time to cut them, fell them with care, and then properly treat the logs." (Dilday)
ii. It also means that Solomon was willing to build this great temple to God with "Gentile" wood and using "Gentile" labor. This was a temple to the God of Israel, but it was not only for Israel. Only Jews built the tabernacle, "but the temple is not build without the aid of the Gentile Tyrians. They, together with us, make up the Church of God." (Trapp)
I did not know this! Solomon, in his wisdom, reached out to the gentiles for help in building the temple for God's name! He ministered to them in his efforts. And Hiram praised God in his response! He also did not charge an exhorbitent (sp?) amount for his contribution. He only asked for food for his household, so the result was he also "freely gave out of his abundance" to the building of the temple of God. That is so great!
Okay, I also included in my earlier post some words to all of you who have prayed and shared words of wisdom for us on becoming more integrated here in Switzerland. Thank you for your prayers and your words! I am in a better place than my husband because I am working here and I also speak enough German to get by for the most part. My husband is not as yet working here and he does not speak any German. Add to that, he is a shy person who does not easily go out and make friends or become involved in groups. I am convinced (really I am) that God sent us here for a purpose and we are where we should be. I am also convinced that God is working in my husband in a big and specific way. My prayer is that I know the right way to love, help and support my husband in this situation. My words of support sometimes sound like nagging... :) So please continue to keep us in your prayers, they mean so much to me and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Michelle, keep on hanging in there! Like Lori, I am overwhelmed at all you are juggling and I daily pray for you.
Amy you too. Jacque, I am a visual person, but I cannot even draw a good stick figure! Your prayer art sounds lovely! Rhonda, good to see you back.
I wish I could leave a personal measage for each of you, but this is getting WAY LONG and it is my second try (smile)... so I think I will end it now. Please know that I pray for each prayer request I read on this blog and for the silent participants as well.
Have a blessed weekend! It is Pentecost and that means in Europe it is a long weekend (yea!).
Karen, Basel
Wow...what a revelation I had this morning. I am a runner and probably a bit obsessive about exercise. This morning i realized that I take care of the physical part of my temple but I need to make sure the foundation of my temple is strong. I need to do that by spending more time of my day in prayer with God and reading His Word. If my foundation isn't strong than my temple will crumble during the storms.
Thank you Jesus for your revelation this morning. Help me to remember this and make you number one in my life.
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Good Morning Everyone~
What a great message Wendy. That was also what God drew me to as well for my to do for today. Things were built in very precise ways and God also built us in a precise way, each and every one of us put together in a special way for the plans and purposes He laid out for us to do.
This is something that is taking center stage at my house right now, as I shared yesterday we have found out the reason my son can not get well from constant sinus issues is because he has a wheat/gluten allergy and corn allergy. BTW, thank you Amy and Janet for the information you shared yesterday. Amy I will look at that book you suggested. I got some gluten free cookbooks and also a friend let me borrow some she had to look through. I had to run in the grocery yesterday afternoon and my son was with me. He wanted a snack and to him a snack means goldfish, chips, something of that nature. We were looking and we did find him some veggie stick "chips" he could have that are made with different vegetables (that are WONDERFUL) and I found him some gluten free, all natural, nothing artificial lemon shortbread cookies (they are WONDERFUL TOO). I am not letting him have cookies all the time, but I do want him to be able to have one some days after dinner, those kinds of things. I knew if I did not find him some alternatives he would be more likely to slip at school and take candy from his friends when they offered. We are praying about the new choices he has to make and for him to have courage, like Daniel had, to say no to the things that make him sick. I was praying for him on Wed and God laid on my heart how when we eat the things we are allergic to (I have the allergies too) that it is like poison to our bodies. God made us in a special way that we can not eat those things. I shared that with Will yesterday morning and he seemed to really understand.
How do I do on taking care of my own temple? So-so. I know I need to do better. I do exercise but I am not as consistent as I really need to be. I notice when I do at least 4 times a week I do feel so much better. As the other Brandee said, she needs to build up her foundation more. I am the opposite, I spend lots of time building that and really sometimes I should work on the outside. And what I have learned friends through all my struggles the past year is that it is not about weight, it is about health. I may be small but if I still don't exercise I don't feel good. I can tell when I go a while and have not walked or done a FIRM tape. I am going to be trying Lori's prayer walks this summer while Will is out of school :) That way I combine both foundation and taking care of my physical temple. We will also be swimming alot which will be great exercise for both of us.
Karen I SAP for you this morning :)
Hope you all have a blessed day!
Brandee, TN
Good morning GIG's,
I missed a day of posting yesterday (thanks for your comforting words, Lori my twin) but I was definitely in The Word. My nugget for today relates to what I am going through right now. I can't go into the details, but there's jealousy and betrayal and deception and danger and all those fun things we've been reading about in the Bible. People haven't changed, but God remains the same.
Psalm 37: 24 "The Lord makes firm the steps of those who delight in him; though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord upholds them with his hand."
He's doing that for me, and he will do it for you too, dear Sisters. One of the joys of finally being on a close walk with Him is that when the storms come, as they surely will, I now go to him almost immediately. I say almost, in all honesty, because my initial reaction is still to panic and become angry, but then a SAP - Stop and Pray. But I quickly turn to Him in prayer, and He faithfully brings me peace and truth. PRAISE THE LORD! Oh how I regret the years of angsting and ruminating over troubles, when I could have been praying instead and being blessed with peace - for me and my household!!
Having Christian music ALWAYS at my fingertips now, either through Pandora Radio or on a CD in the car is of great value to me. These past few days as the "stormy ways" have come, "Be Still My Soul" has helped tremendously.
Here is the link to a lovely YouTube piece with beautiful visuals, captioning, and music by Selah. Below it for you Jenn Renn, in case your Flash Player isn't fixed yet, is the lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9zHn4QSH-8
BE STILL MT SOUL
Be still my soul
The Lord is on your side
Bear Patiently
The Cross of Grief or Pain
Leave to Thy God
To order and provide
In every change
He faithful will remain
Be still my soul
Thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through stormy ways
Leads to a joyful end
Be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While he dwelt below
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Have a blessed day, all, and be sure you invite Him to come along with you :)
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
P.S. Rhonda, dear, may I please be a yellow flower in your prayer garden? Cheerful yellow flowers are a delight to me!
I meant to say something too about the puppy :) Janet you reminded me. He was so cute Wendy in the background playing in that bush, looks like he was after something, lol.
Wow Wendy I had such conviction today as I listened to your teaching. I am horrible at taking care of my temple. I should be exercising atleast 5 times a week and I can't tell you when the last time I exercised was. I also have a huge sweet tooth. Not good! I am taking your challenge of getting back once again to exercising and being more deligient at taking care of his temple. Thank you for all you do Wendy.
Morning Everybody...
Wendy such a blessing...You do such a great job!!...ALWAYS
Bible verse:2Chronicles 2:14,His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. he is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.
We are all crafted with talents...All called upon to use them. Picked up my Mom's annual flowers yesterday. She calls upon Me to pick them up and plant them. Taking care of this temple of mine today by bending up and down...up and down. My mother is a precious gem she can call on Me any time.
Michele....My yellow primrose came to mind when you mention "yellow". Your in a prim-year with your family this year.
Karen...like I mentioned yesterday I ALWAYS get great info from your comments. Wouldn't mind checking out them websites tonight when this temple sits down.
Brandee...Will those stuffy noses are not fun. give Will special hugs. Our oldest delt with stuffy nose so much when younger...alegeric to molds,pollen, grass...ect... Felt like I needed to keep him in a balloon. Thank God and Praise Him today he grew out of them somewhat. Now just basically just seasonal.
Janet...I too saw her dog in the background and had to chuckle. Wondering what it was trying to do in those shrubs. Thanks Wendy for perserving.
Jennifer Renee...I hope you make today another great day. Keep rethinking the way you are thinking. Was so glad to read how you perservered through you vaccuum situation. Know things like that happen often..not only to you but all of us.
Have a great day all!!
Have to go....flowers are looking at me to give them life to perservere....Jacque I am with you on color....they give our world beauty and color.
Coloring the World,
Rhonda
Oh Wendy! I managed to completely ignore the part about the temple and all its implications, as you mentioned, by focusing on the wisdom of Solomon and the baby. I just went for a yearly checkup this week and was told to start exercising...and I'm still thinking about it! So, I appreciate your emphasis, even though I don't like to hear it!
You are so loved! Keep up the gentle nudges!
I loved your lesson today Wendy! And watching your dog made a good start to my morning! Too cute!
Karen - your research on King Hiram was what I was going to look into later...thanks for doing it for me...very interesting!
Right now I believe I have a good balance going with my temple. I don't remember a time when I didn't exercise consistently;(I like Brandee in Iowa have to be careful it doesn't cross the line into obsession) and giving up facebook for Lent was such a good thing for me....I now spend my spare time in His Word or reading Christian books....I am praying for God's help to continue on this path.
When I really grasped how precious God's temple is to Him it made me realize the awesome responsibility I have.
I have also learned from a Sister Believer not to get conceited about my success; to make sure that I love others thru their time of struggling with weight and eating choices and exercise motivation, and not to judge them. This was an epiphany for me and one I have confessed and I believe PURGED before my God. Lord, help me to do and think about everything in Your love. Amen.
ps...Wendy I have 4 other girlfriends who are working on eating/exercising right...so we text each other every morning and challenge each other to "get off your butts and go for it"...messages like that and that has been fun and inspiring....just an idea.
Happy Friday GIG!
you betcha!
Morgen
Karen...Thank you for all your pictures...It was very helpful...I am praying for your husband
Wendy...Your puppy is just too cute...:0)
A couple of things new...I did not know the 2 women were prostitutes
1 Kings 6:7 there was no sound of hammer, ax or any other tool at the building site...a big change from what we have around here...
Loved the reference back to the blue, red and purple from the first tabernacle...
My temple is very sore from this weekend...I try to exercise 3 times a week but that does not always happen--I am a work in progress.
God bless
Sue
Good morning, again GIGs,
Karen, thanks for the visual! Praying for your husband to find divine connections while you're there. It's hard to adjust to a new environment and not even know the language. (((HUGS))) As to the lost post, if you're using Firefox, may I suggest downloading the add-on called "Lazarus." It resurrects lost text. It was suggested to me by one of my virtual classmates from KI. Lifesaver, I tell you!
My nugget today aside from the temple/body connection is what I read from Courson when Solomon asked for the sword to decide the baby dilemma. He said, "The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12) Dear friend, if you're involved in counseling, sharing with friends or neighbors, or giving advice to people in need, the 1st words out of your mouth should be those of Solomon:" Bring me a sword. Lets look in the Word" If you want to be effective in ministering to people let these words be on your lips and may the Word be in your hand."
And after deciding as to the identity of the true mother:
"Solomon's answer was absolutely brilliant. It unequivocally determined the rightful mother. You see, a true mother will never tolerate division. A true mother would sooner never see her baby again than to have it divided in any way. Thus, the true mother was immediately and undisputedly identified.
"Be it in a marriage,a family or a church body, division leads either quickly or eventually to one thing: death. May we be as committed to unity as this mother was." (Jon Courson's Applications Commentary, Old Testament, I forgot to write down the page reference.)
As a mom, those just spoke to my heart. We have to guard our families because there are forces out to destroy it. Cover them with prayer at all times.
Have a blessed day, everyone!
Hi I have posted 3 days in a row. (I just posted on yesterdays) :)!
The fighting women, I agree with Wendy hands over ears ok shut up.
Am I taking care of my temple. Yes! Through many trials and errors of diets and healthy eating attempts I have been able to regulate my husbands eating so that he no longer has the highs, lows and dizzy spells and lack of energy. We have been back and forth to the Dr.'s and tests and he is leveling out. I do want to look into the glutten thing a little more because he is still battling sinus issues periodically and glutten has been mentioned to me before, through another friend. God might be hinting to me. Thanks Brandee for mentioning about your son, and I am praying for a smooth transition for him in the eating.
As for my temple, I am on a new eating/diet plan and have lost an add'l 12.6 pounds (35 total -25 to go)& I have started my swimming up again this week. I have been praying for quite some time on what I needed to do for healthy eating and over the past few months God has been revealing to me what needed to be done.
Lori, Thanks again for thinking of me.
Blessings to all!
Lynn - OR
this is a test. I write,then go through the process, but it doesn't post. So this will be a test message.
Donna
Reading all about the building of the temple amazed me. It amazes me that they were able to so such beautiful work back then. I know that was a beautiful building.
My new was that it took seven years to complete the tabernacle (1 Kings 6:38). The number seven is the year of completion.
Lots of somethings new today. One was the same as SuzyR's above. I didn't remember the women were prostitutes.
Also, I didn't know what a cherubim was...I was thinking cherub. Wrong! In my NIV Study Bible there is a diagram of Solomon's Temple (their title) and it included the cherubims. Then I went to Dictionary.com and two definitions (there were more) were: a winged celestial being, and in Christianity, The second of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. (I didn't know there was such a thing as angelology!)
Thank you Wendy for bringing up my body is a temple. Since February 26 I have been making healthier food choices, started walking on my treadmill again and drinking lots and lots of water. 12.5 lbs down, more energy, clearer mind, and thanking God for His guidance on what I need to do to lose weight once and for all!
Wendy, listening to the end of your vlog where you talked about taking care of our temple and how you haven't been exercising like you should made me want to cry. I'm in the same boat. 1. I haven't been exercising like I need to do and eating better in order to lose the weight I want to lose in two and a half weeks. 2. It saddens me to think about how many times I've felt like, and last week started to, hurting myself, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
Jennifer Renee -- My heart breaks for you. I have spent some volunteer time with young teenage girls who hurt themselves - and the pain in their eyes destroys my heart. I long to reach out to you and HUG you and direct you down a path that is good for you emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
I must say I take care of my temple - but only part way. I do exercise at least 4 times a week - but I have been doing that for nearly 20 years. It is a habit for me. I do feel the effects if I do not exercise. However, I do not eat well, nor do I spend enough time in the Word. I speak to my LORD constantly, but honestly feel this temple would be so much better if I could abide by all things to nourish this temple.
Jennifer Renee - you are a blessed temple of the LORD and He awaits your call. Go to Him. Lord, Father God above, please protect Jennifer Renee as she is challenged in daily life. Give her strength to see through troubled times and know that You are always with her. LORD, I continue to ask that you provide her with a Spiritual being to carry her through times of dismay. She is a precious temple and a blessing to so many. In your name Father, Amen.
I concur with Kristin. Jen-Ren you are so loved by the Father. And now you are loved by us all here.
Take care and sleep well.
Morgen
{{HUGS}} Jen-Ren.
Okay Wendy I walked for 30 minutes today. I am already a little sore. Getting old!!!!!
Post a Comment
Home