Hosting

Scripture

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" -I Corinthians 3:16

Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. In the Old Testament, God's presence was housed in a temple. It was a place of sacrifice unto Him. The word 'temple' means "to dwell" in Greek. In the New Testament the temple is no longer made of wood and stone, but of the congregation of believers. We are the living stones and spiritual priests in His spiritual house while Jesus Christ our High Priest. (I Peter 2:5) This truth may only be intellectual knowledge to some if there is no active cultivation of a relationship with the Father. Psalm 27:4 says, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." Note the language that David uses in the scripture. He desires God's presence above all else. Unless we are in active fellowship with Him, the scripture above will be another one of those verses we use without personal revelation. 

Beloved, do you understand how privileged we are? Do you realize that with all of their faith, the saints of the Old Testament were not given the opportunity to be a living temple of the Most High God? However, you and I are partakers of His wonderful presence. It is imperative that we maintain this position by our posture of submission and obedience to Him. Let us live in a constant awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence. Be a place where God wants to dwell by allowing the Spirit to transform you into the image of Christ. Surrender to Him so that He can remove the clutter of sin so that your heart can be a welcoming environment for Him. 

So, what does this look like in a practical sense? It looks like setting your affections upon Him daily. Turn your heart toward Him and practice His presence by sitting still and enjoy His companionship. This is not about prayer requests, but about time with Him. It looks like acknowledging the Spirit of God as a person that is important to you. Cherish and honor Him because He dwells where He's wanted. It also looks like studying His Word to understand how you should even approach a sovereign King. Refer to David's preparation for the Ark of the Covenant. His presence is to be honored, Beloved. Finally, honor Him with your personal life. Don't live a life of mixture as Paul admonished us tp present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord. (Romans 12:1). Beloved, hosting His presence is about relationship. It's a privilege to be stewards of His presence so His will can be fulfilled in the earth. 

Prayer

Father, we thank you for the privilege of hosting your presence. We maintain a posture of submission and obedience so that you can continue to live in us. In Jesus' name. Amen