Dwelling places

As of recent I have been reading through the last half of Exodus and the first part of Leviticus. In times past reading these sections of scripture I can find myself just skimming them out of my desire to move past them (lets be honest here folks reading about levitical laws and preparation for the ark of the covenant can be well for lack of a better term a snooze fest). In fact I would probably rather go to the dentist than read through it while paying attention sometimes. This time as I knew I was approaching this part of the Bible I began to pray that God would reveal something that I had not seen or realized in these sections of scripture. God never fails to disappoint me 

I was reading in Exodus about Gods standards for the ark (after all it would be his dwelling place wouldn’t you want your house to be nice) I was reminded that in the old testament God dwelt among the people He is not a God far off but a God who is near and dwells among His people. Gods instructions of building, it inlaid with Gold building it with skill, instructing the people to take their time and do a good job using fine lining rare jewels things of value these were the kind of things God wanted to use to reflect his glory and fame. 

This past semester I was able to move off campus into my own apartment and I can understand wanting the place you live to be perfect and to be a healthy environment. As a girl I wanted to decorate my house nice and have it reflect who I was. I think God wants the same thing from us He lives in us and He wants to use us to reflect who He is to show the world who He is.

Reflecting on this I realized that through the blood of Christ we now have the privilege of Gods Spirit dwelling among us inside our soul - our being. Should we not also prepare and purify our souls as places suitable and set apart to God. I understand we no longer live under the law - Jesus Christ has set us free with His atoning work on the cross. Knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells among us I was convicted that just like in the old testament we should prepare our souls for the Lord. Keeping evil from entering our souls purifying them in the word and prayer inlaying our souls with things God finds lovely truth, love, joy, hope. And on those occasions we do fall into sin being sure we confess our sins grieving them and turning in repentance from them.

God has always been among His children but now he lives within us and we are to treat our inner souls and physical being as holy set apart for the Lord. Not satisfying the flesh but gratifying the spirit. I am a simple person and I know this is nothing profound - Just my simplistic thought of the day but I hope it can be an encouragement to somebody out there. 

Reach Out!

     Each day worldwide there are 3,000 suicides, and for every person who commits a suicide 20 or more people may attempt suicide (Information according to World Health Organization). Ages range anywhere between teen’s to the elderly and it impacts all races. This has devastating effects on loved ones whom are left behind to grieve and morn the loss of a child, sibling, spouse ext. In fact suicide is so common you probably know someone personally who has or has had a loved one take his or her life.
    Suicide has been on the rise worldwide. It is time to make it a priority to talk about this issue. Reach out to those around you, you may not even know someone is having suicidal thoughts. Most often those dealing with these thoughts do not make it obvious and when they take their life it is very abrupt and unexpected. Reach out and love people you have no clue what someone else is going though any given day. Don’t just assume. Let people know their life has value no matter what they are going through. Say an encouraging word, let people know you care about them. Love those who are mean and those who look like they have their life all together. You have no idea what could be encouragement in someones life and make a difference. Be a voice, be love, reach out, make a change.