I Don't Live There Any More!

 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where
 thine honour dwelleth.  Psa 26:8

This morning as I was talking to God, He brought these thoughts to my mind.

He dwells in the hearts of believers. That is His tabernacle. Oh, we worship

in churches on the Sabbath Day, but it would be sad to only have His Presence

just on Sunday. What would it be like if we could not call on Him any time

that we needed him?

But the amazing thought is that the God of the Universe asks each of us

to allow Him to dwell inside of us... all of the time... every day of the week,

If we refuse Him, He will do what He can to draw us, but He will never force

His way in the door. 

When He moves in, the furniture gets rearranged. Priorities are changed.

The whole outlook on life is different. He talks to us about things that do

not please Him because He cannot dwell with unrighteousness. 

He brings us to a different place, gradually changing our lives and hearts

to become more like His. It does not matter how dilapidated our home is

when He comes in. He starts to work right where we are to change us more

and more into His image as we allow Him to.

I have heard so many stories of how people who lived in the slum districts

were changed when they met the Master. They began to clean up their yards,

get rid of garbage, put a coat of paint on the outside, plant flowers, etc.

Then, it is not long until they go from being an abusive drunkard to being a

kind caring person. Their whole demeanor changes when Jesus dwells inside.

They become respectable citizens leaving all of the old life behind. 

Their dwelling changes from hatred, anger and strife to a life of peace.

It is the same way with us as we walk with God. We don't have to be a drunkard

to be unrighteous. The apostle Paul gives some very good advice in the book of

Ephesians chapter 4: 21-32.

21.     If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in

          Jesus:    

2

2.    That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt

          according  to the deceitful lusts; 

23.    And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

24.    And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and

          true holiness. 

25.    Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we 

          are members one of another. 

26.     Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 

27.     Neither give place to the devil. 

28.     Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his 

          hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

29.     Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is

           good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

30.     And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of

           redemption. 

31.     Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put

          away from you, with all malice: 

32.     And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as

           God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

Jesus doesn't want us to dwell among the backbiters, troublemakers, talebearers, etc. He wants us to dwell where there is kindness, forgiveness, peace, gentleness, and love.

That is what He does to a life who will allow Him to dwell inside of them. 

Challenging thoughts!

Thanks for reading.

Donna