Rebuilding The Temple With God

JOY:  Psalm 63:5
an act or instance of traveling from one place to another

MEAL:  Matthew 8:15
a portion of food eaten usually at designated times in the day to satisfy appetite; an act or time of eating

PRAISE:  Psalm 63:3
to worship, command, or give honor to

REST:  Proverbs 4:16
to sit or lie on; to cease from action or motion; to take relief or respite

SERVANT:  Matthew 8:8
one who performs tasks under the direction of another

SLAVERY:  Exodus 13:3
submission to a dominating influence; the practice of slaveholding

YEAST:  Exodus 13:3
a fungus used for making alcohol and bread

The fear of the Lord brings joy to my heart.  I remember my life in Egypt.  The confusion, the resentment, the pain, the fear, the pride, the loneliness-the slavery.  In fact, the Lord rescued me from all of it recently.  The yeast in my heart caused a great decay within, and it was detrimental to my soul.  I held the trauma inside to the point of bursting-from my wrong living and from religious people and their leaders.  I wouldn't forgive myself or others, and I used the gifts God gave me to destroy them.  I committed myself to destruction, and there was no rest for my soul because of it.

I remember when the Lord began chasing me down with intention and intensity.  It was terrifying.  I was terrified because all I'd ever known up until then was decay and short lived peace.  I thought he was punishing me, but really, he was pruning me-breaking me and then loving on me-both, with precision.  He pierced my heart in the most poetic way.  So, yes, I will praise God for the rest of my life, both here and after.  How could I not?  The joy of the Lord has consumed me and I don't have time for much else these days.  He has proven what is right in his sight through correcting me.  He corrects the one he loves.  Now, he honors me, and I am honored to reflect what he has taught me back into the world.

Through it all, from slavery to servant, from suffering in slavery, to victory in Christ, to share a meal with Jesus-I am truly grateful beyond words.  I never thought the day would come when I'd be grateful for the trials and tribulation-but God!  Isn't it so refreshing to be loved unconditionally?  What love!  Love conquers all.  Love covers a multitude of sins.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  ~1 Corinthians 13:13~

I pray we never forget the great kindness he has shown us.  I pray whoever is reading this-if they are still in Egypt-that the Lord chase them down with his love and break the yoke of bondage, and may he cleanse the yeast in their land.  I love you.  Jesus loves you.  Shalom Shalom