A temple to honor God

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"... Build a temple in honor of God..." 1 Kings 5: 5-6, MSG

We can all build a temple to honor God - it starts with our bodies!

The blessings that God bestows

1 Kings 3:9-14The Message (MSG)

⁹ “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”

^10-14 God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon’s response. And God said to him, “Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I’ll give you what you’ve asked for—I’m giving you a wise and mature heart. There’s never been one like you before; and there’ll be no one after. As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for—there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life.”

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson


God will pour blessings upon you, (blessings you have never asked for), if you will ask, believe, honor, and receive the simple things in life first: love, honor, wisdom, patience, kindness, humility, peace, and joy.

But you - be strong!

“… but you – be strong; show what you are made of!  Do what God tells you.  Walk in the path he shows you.  Follow the life map absolutely, keep an eye out for sign posts… then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go…” 1 Kings 2:1-4 MSG

You are made by God’s mighty hand, filled with the amazing spirit, and hand-picked to live this beautiful life of yours!

So, live it to the fullest by listening to God, waiting on God, living and loving for God ~ Your life will never be the same if you do.

Trouble? What trouble?

“… As God lives, the God who delivers me from every kind of trouble…” 1 Kings 1:29-30, MSG

When you are a child of God, all you have to think is: Trouble?  What trouble? – God will handle the rest.

Rules and purposes.

“… God’s purposes are worked out in the confrontation and revelation, in judgment, and salvation, but they are worked out.  God’s rule is not imposed in the sense that forces each man and woman into absolute conformity to justice and truth and righteousness.  The rule is worked out from within, much of the time invisible and unnoticed, but always patiently and resolutely there…” (Quoted from The Message, by Eugene H Patterson, pg. 480)

God’s rules and purposes are worked out in all different areas of our lives.  So, discard nothing that happens in your life as unimportant.  Instead, embrace everything, knowing that, however far-fetched it may seem, God is working!

Prayers

“… God was moved by the prayers and that was the end of the disaster.”  2 Samuel 24-25, MSG

You prayers move God – say them!!!

God's light directs our paths.

2 Samuel 22:29-31The Message (MSG)

^29-31 Suddenly, God, your light floods my path,
    God drives out the darkness.
I smash the bands of marauders,
    I vault the high fences.
What a God! His road
    stretches straight and smooth.
Every God-direction is road-tested.
    Everyone who runs toward him
Makes it.

 

God’s light shines through the darkness.

God’s road is easy to follow.

God’s directions will never lead one astray.

God is the only sure thing.

Run to God – this life of yours depends on it!

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

God makes life complete

2 Samuel 22:21-25The Message (MSG)

^21-25 God made my life complete
    when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I cleaned up my act,
    he gave me a fresh start.
Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways;
    I haven’t taken God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works,
    I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
    and I’m watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
    when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

Clean up your act, stop your sins, give control to God, and start living the life you should be living!

Revenge, hatred, hurt...

Revenge, hatred, hurt, anger, resentment, and the like, are never the answer - God is!  So, when any of these feelings and emotions fill your mind, hand them over to God to make them right. He will and He wants to - so, let Him.

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Rest and revival

“… Then they rested and were revived.” 2 Samuel 16:14 MSG

Rest brings revival for the mind, body, and soul.  So, if life has you worn out, frustrated, not feeling well, or just dog-tired, then rest is a must… your quality of life depends on it.

 

Peace and love

“Merry unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied…” Jude 2

Have a great day

Coming to terms

“…The king finally gave up trying to get back at Absalom.  He had come to terms with Amnon’s death.” 2 Samuel 13:37-39, MSG

Revenge does nothing to rectify a situation or to put your mind at ease.  However, giving it to God does.

Moving on.

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2 Samuel 12:22-23

22-23 “While the child was alive,” he said, “I fasted and wept, thinking God might have mercy on me and the child would live. But now that he’s dead, why fast? Can I bring him back now? I can go to him, but he can’t come to me.”

After a loss, whether in death of a loved one, death of a relationship, or death of a job, career, etc., grieving and hurting will be guaranteed.  However, there will come a time when it is time to get up, dust yourself off, place the memories in your heart and move on. Otherwise, you could find yourself losing more than you should.  So, as hard as it may be, take one step forward today; tomorrow, take two - before you know it, your loss will turn into treasured memories, learning lessons, and miracles that thrust you into blessings that take you places you've only once dreamed about. 

God will do what needs to be done

"... Courage!  We'll fight with might and main for our people and for the cities of our God. And God will do whatever he sees needs doing!" 2 Samuel 10:8-12, MSG

Fight the good fight, and God will make sure victories are given where victories are due!

Not because of me...

"... You know me, Master God, just as I am.  You've done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are - out of your very heart - but you've let me in on it." 2 Samuel 7:18-21, MSG

God is good!  God is loving.  God is forgiving.  God is life.  God loves you, and when blessings come your way, remember who gave them to you, and why you are given them: Not because of who you are, but because of who He is.

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Have you asked God?

"Go up," God replied.  "Count on me.  I'll help you beat them." 2 Samuel 5:20-21 MSG

Need help?  Have you asked God?  If not, why?

Move or stay?

When God speaks, move! 

When God is silent, stay!

The answer will come

“Then David prayed to God… The answer came…” 1 Samuel 30:8 MSG

Want right answers?  Pray to God – your answer will assuredly come.  In addition, those answer will be ones that you can confidently listen to, follow, and count on – no questions necessary.

Need strength?

“David strengthened himself with trust in his God…”

1 Samuel 30:6-7 MSG

Need strength?  Trust God!

 

Redeemed

“Blessed be God who has stood up for me against Nabal’s insults, kept me from an evil act, and let Nabal’s evil boomerang back on him.”… 1 Samuel 25:39-40 MSG

When you believe, rely, count on, and hold tight to God, you never have to stick up for yourself – God will be the one to bring you victory. 

Know this...

To all who love, honor, and worship God:

“… Know this: your God-honored life is tightly bound in the bundle of God-protected life…”

1 Samuel 25:28-29, The MSG

God answers

Want answers?  Ask God!

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Bonded by Christ

"... ' God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!'" 1 Samuel 20:42, The MSG

When God is the center of our relationships, nothing on Earth, above or below, could ever separate, nor could the darkness of hell divide in two.  So make sure that all those you love and treasure are bonded by your prayers and your love for God. 

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For your good

“… Everything David did turned out well.  Yes, God was with him…” 1 Samuel 18:12-16 The MSG

When you love, worship, and listen to God, He’s with you and everything you do.  So, walk in His ways, (not your ways, nor the world’s ways), and everything in your life will always work out in your favor and for your good.

Rely on God

1 Samuel 16:7 +The Message (MSG)

⁷ But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”

Looks can be deceiving – don’t rely on them!  Rely on God!  Rely on the thoughts that he places deep within your heart – those are the ones that will lead you to the right people and keep you away from wrong people, regardless of looks, color, creed, or background.

 

God is the world

“… Israel’s God of Glory doesn’t deceive and he doesn’t dither.  He says what he means and means what he says.” 1 Samuel 15:27-29 MSG

The world deceives, God does not.  The world changes, God does not.  The world causes confusion, God does not.  The world steps back, God steps in.  No, the world is not God, however, God is the world!

God won't walk out on you.

1 Samuel 12:20-22The Message (MSG)

^20-22 Samuel said to them, “Don’t be fearful. It’s true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don’t turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don’t chase after ghost-gods. There’s nothing to them. They can’t help you. They’re nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who he is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people.

No matter what you've done, God still loves you!  How could He not love you, He created you?!  He wrote every day of your life before you were ever born.  Your life is not a waste, your life is not over, and your life is not meaningless.  No, your life is just beginning and you have an amazing future ahead of you.  So, let Him in - repent, forgive, and open your heart.   God is here to stay - He will never leave you, and one you thing you can always be certain of: you can count on Him forever, to eternity and beyond!

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The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Return to the Lord

^"And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 ESV

The same to you, my friend: If you are truly serious about coming back to God, then stop your sinful ways, repent, and ask forgiveness.  Then, open up your heart and let God fill it like never before.

Whoever lives in love...

"...Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."  1 John 4:16

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Not sure if you know who God is?  Well, have you loved or been loved?  Then, yes, you know God and He knows you.  So love to the fullest in this life of yours - the more you do, the more you get to know God, and the more you know God, the more you love.