And in [Jesus] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
—Ephesians 2:22 NIV
"Where can I go to find God?" Mortals have asked this question ever since they were driven from the garden and from their daily walks with God in "the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8-24). Nations have had wars over this question. Families have been split over this question. People have spent countless amounts of money to go on pilgrimages to answer this question. However, in this one passage, Paul reminds us of an inestimable grace: God lives in his people. Jesus had promised that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he would join them (Matthew 18:20), but we sometimes forget it. God chooses to come and live among people who offer themselves to him as followers of Jesus. That makes each Christian (1 Corinthians 6:19) and each congregation of Jesus' people (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) a sacred place where God dwells — no matter how large or small the group is or where it meets.
Almighty God, when I think of your awesome presence at Sinai giving the law to Moses or in Jesus as he stilled the storm, I am humbled to know that you choose to form us into your dwelling place and then join us, your people, through the Holy Spirit, both individually and when we meet together. In Jesus' name, I thank you for this grace and ask for a soft heart to value your people as you do. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Ephesians 2:22 NIV
Key Thought
"Where can I go to find God?" Mortals have asked this question ever since they were driven from the garden and from their daily walks with God in "the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8-24). Nations have had wars over this question. Families have been split over this question. People have spent countless amounts of money to go on pilgrimages to answer this question. However, in this one passage, Paul reminds us of an inestimable grace: God lives in his people. Jesus had promised that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he would join them (Matthew 18:20), but we sometimes forget it. God chooses to come and live among people who offer themselves to him as followers of Jesus. That makes each Christian (1 Corinthians 6:19) and each congregation of Jesus' people (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) a sacred place where God dwells — no matter how large or small the group is or where it meets.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, when I think of your awesome presence at Sinai giving the law to Moses or in Jesus as he stilled the storm, I am humbled to know that you choose to form us into your dwelling place and then join us, your people, through the Holy Spirit, both individually and when we meet together. In Jesus' name, I thank you for this grace and ask for a soft heart to value your people as you do. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
