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Modern Day Temple

Back in the Bible times, temples were built as Holy places where people could go to find God. Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins and essentially our acceptance into God's family, we are now able to access God through the Holy Spirit within us. So basically, our bodies became a temple of God. Get it? It's still a place where people can go to find God...we are like little mobile temples. Isn't that cool?

The process to building the temple within you is really quite simple...ok maybe it's hard sometimes but really all you have to do it say "yes", which gives God permission to invade your heart. Sounds scary but it's not. I promise.

This nice little step by step is provided by the President of the Ministerial Alliance, Pastor Curt. I love how simply he lays God's word out and presents it. I added a little of my interpretation to fatten it up for the blog but the basis is from him (which I'm sure he got through revelation from God).

PART ONE: Set up the temple.

This step is easy - it just takes a small amount of courage and a little bit of faith and trust. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and profess that your heart belongs to God. This is what we call "salvation". It's the foundation of the temple and very important. Without this step, your temple will crumble because it has no support.

PART TWO: Set the House in Order.

This might be considered the hard part. It gets kind of ugly but I'm guaranteeing you that the result is worth it. It's kind of like when the house is filthy dirty and you really dread cleaning it but when it's done you just feel...BETTER. You feel like you should have been cleaning all along and can't deny that the result is satisfying. When you set the house in order that means you live in the Spirit and walk in God's presence. You follow God's guidance by his word. Doing this will change you if you allow it (this is called sanctification which means cleansing). He needs your permission and you need to be open to him changing some things. For me it involved issues in the area of control, worry, and finances but I can tell you I'm more free than I've ever been and I'm excited about whatever else he wants to change in me (I know there's more). It'll be emotional and hard to open your eyes but the feeling that comes after is indescribable. If I had to put a word to it, it would be called FREEDOM.

PART THREE: Invite others into your clean house.

You know when you have that freshly clean house that you want to invite people over to see how good you did! At least that's how I am. This is the part of the process where you connect with other believers, share stories, and carry each others' burdens. In addition to that, we should extend the favor of God to the world around us. Your presence (with God inside your heart) can change the atmosphere around you. Go into places with purpose and prayer and watch people's moods start to change when they see you.

I want freedom for you. I want you to grow and change and to not even be able to recognize your old self. I want you to be confident and bold but humble and submissive. I want your life to change through the power of God in your life. I want that for you because it's far more valuable than anything else.
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