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Tag: Temple of God

From Luz to Bethel

Genesis 28:18-19 reads “And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

The name of the Hittite city where Jacob consecrated a pillar from the stone he has used as pillows was Luz. According to Strong’s Hebrew dictionary, Luz means an almond tree/wood, and the name of the city was possibly named such because of the almond trees in that region (Genesis 30:37), but Strong’s Hebrew dictionary also indicates that Luz could mean, to turn aside, depart, crookedness or perverseness, possibly because of the wicked people of the city. While either of these meanings are subject to human interpretation, what we ought to recognize from this account, is that where the Lord God is, and where there is a consecration of the place – then that is Bethel (House of God).

Points to ponder:
When we believe in Jesus Christ, as our Lord, Savior and King, we are turned aside from our perverseness of sin and the Holy Spirit of God is poured upon us, like oil anointing our head (Psalm 23:5) and Jesus who has been standing at the door of our heart and knocking (Revelation 3:20) comes into our lives and takes residence. In other words, we become the house (temple) of God. We go from being Luz (crooked and perverse in our sinfulness) into being Bethel (the House of God – perfect). Are you a Luz or a Bethel?

Genesis 28:18-19 (KJV)
18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

It is good for us to be here … said the disciple

The Bible records in the gospel according to Dr. Luke, the account of the transfiguration of Jesus, wherein he was glorified and affirmed of his sonship by God (Luke 9:28-36). But what is often missed are the action and words of Peter and the other disciples, which is of significance, during Jesus’ transfiguration. First, the disciples of Jesus, Peter, James and John, awoke from their sleep. Second, they saw the glorified Jesus and his servants, Moses and Elias. Third, Peter responded by saying to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make you and your servants tabernacles.”

Many continue to be heavy in sleep, even as Jesus is being transfigured in all of his glory in this world. We must first awake, but awaking alone is not sufficient. We must seek to see and see Jesus in all of his glory that is implicit in his creation and explicit through his character as revealed and evident in the Holy Bible. Third, we must recognize Jesus to be our Master. In other words, we must recognize our place as faithful servants of his, ready to serve him at his call and command. Fourth, only when we experience and enjoy his communion and fellowship with us, we can say “It is good for us to be here (in his presence)”. Finally, we must be zealous about building in ourselves first and then in others, the tabernacle for Jesus to reside.

Points to ponder:
Are you/Am I sleeping or awake?
Are you/Am I seeing Jesus in all of his glory or have we been blinded by the devil, lest we see the glorious truth of the gospel in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4)?
Are you/Am I recognizing that Jesus is the Master and that we ought to be his faithful servants?
Are you/Am I experiencing God’s presence with us in the person of Jesus Christ, so much so that we can truly tell him, “Master, It is good for us (not anyone else) to be here.”?
Are you/Am I zealous about letting Jesus tabernacle in our hearts?

As disciples of Jesus, we must be able to say to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here”, but what is more important is, can Jesus, our Master and Savior, who tabernacles within us (for we are the temple of the Holy God – 1 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 4:7) say of you and me, “Servant, It is good for us* to be here (in you).”
* = The Triune God in One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Luke 9:28-36 (KJV)
28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Independence Series :: The Spirit of Freedom

The Bible states that the Spirit of the Lord is given as a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). The Bible also states that “we are the temple of the living God and the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16)”. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). In other words, freedom is in us, if we believe; freedom from law, from the wages of sin, from condemnation. This is true independence.

Points to ponder:
Are you/I free? In other words, does the Spirit of the Lord dwell in you/me? Has our temple been cleaned by the blood of Jesus Christ, or does he have to take a whip to set things right before God? Only in a cleaned temple will the Spirit of the Lord dwell.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

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