Solomon's Temple

1st Kings 8 and so on...

So I am currently on the Chronological Bible reading plan which is AWESOME! I did it last year and it was the first time I REALLY read the bible from cover-to-cover. I like it because it enables you to read the Bible in order of how things actually happened and it gives you a little more historical insight and understanding. Now that I'm doing it a second time I have even MORE insight because of additional bible studies and books and sermons so it really is awesome because every time I read a passage I know a little more and I get something different but anyways...

I used to think the Bible was extra boring especially the long parts about "So and so begot so and so" and Solomon's Temple... I was like "Why I gotta know how much gold he used and how he decorated the walls????" . Around this time last year when I was reading it I really just sped through it so I could say I read it... but TODAY, ohhhh today, I asked God to stir up some revelation for me and make this word speak to me.

For those who don't know the story I will give it to you in short. King David (yes same David from David in Goliath) grows up and has a son named Solomon. Now David was supposed to build a temple for the Lord but in the end he doesn't get to do it and the task is passed down to his son Solomon. Solomon grows up to be the wise king and he begins building this intricate, extravagant and beautiful temple for the Lord. It took him 7 years, help from others (craftsmen, artists, laborers etc), and alot alot alot of fine materials (cedar, gold, bronze etc.) He took his time to oversee, pray on it and make sure it was done right.

God spoke to me in this story today, and he pretty much told me I NEED TO BUILD A TEMPLE in my heart for the Lord like Solomon. I need to make this special place for us. Lately I have not been honoring our relationship properly. This is right on time because my pastor gave a great bible study on Thursday about Relationship and it bothered me (in a good way). Solomon did it right, he did it just the way God asked him to do it, he did it with honor, he used the finest materials, he enlisted the proper help, he prayed over it and even though he couldn't do it overnight he still worked at it daily, for seven whole years. He made SURE it was done and he didn't take any short cuts in work or finances because he knew the value of the temple, and why he was executing/performing this task. Excellent food for thought.

Like I said, I used to just skip and skim over these chapters in my BIBLE but EVERYTHING in the word applies to you if you let it and ask the Lord to HELP you. Today I read with intention, sat with it and changed my attitude to be open to hearing from God about what I was reading. We get so "busy" with life that we don't build upon our personal relationship with God. This is not just about going to church every once and awhile, your relationship is yours, its PERSONAL. Only you can praise God for you, he wants to know you and hear from you.

I CAN BUILD A TEMPLE. Yesssss its gonna take time, but its gonna be beautiful and worth it.

I can take my blueprint from good ole Solomon. I'm getting the best materials (gold, bronze,cedar/ time, discipline, effort), resources (craftsmen, artists, laborers = pastors, friends,mature Christians & books ) (y'all know I love a good book ;) ) and the BEST GOD!

As I keep plugging away and pushing this relationship with God :)

Youversion is the bomb...

As some of y'all know I am using Youversion.com to do my bible reading for the year.

When I was younger, in church, we were assigned to read the ENTIRE Bible in three years and I thought this was way too hard. I was so nervous yall, but eventually I did it (I think?) But I did not absorb ANYTHING AT ALL. Now I'M glad I'm grown and really re-reading because the Bible is fun. Right now IM LOVINGGG the story of David and his son Solomon.

Honestly think about it... David came from a normal farming and herding family and he was the baby. Literally like 8 years old when he defeated Goliath, a 9 foot MAN!
I keep asking God to show me his plan for my life and he keeps telling me to wait. (I'm working on my patience y'all) BUT I have to imagine what if I was David... If God would have told me that I was gonna fight a giant and win, become KING, have the WISEST and most rich son for a KING; I would not have believed it or I would have probably found a way to screw it up.

But thats the point, things come in due time, specifically Gods time. He doesn't have to reveal it all to you because he has it under control. Who am I to think I deserve to know now? I need to sit back and enjoy the ride and keep pursuing GOD! David didn't lose the faith even when his situation looked dire. (Saul's MULTIPLE attempts to kill him) He even was kind to his enemies. I want to be like David. That is all, hope this helps someone as it helped me :)