April 14, 2011 - Acts 17:24

“’The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.’” Acts 17:24. The Athens that Paul experienced was filled with many different temples, dedicated to the numerous gods the Athenians worshiped. These gods were thought to have particular powers that they used at the whim of their emotions. If bad things happened, it meant that one of the gods was angry about something. On the other hand, when things were going well, it was because the gods were appeased or content for the moment. Paul came proclaiming that there was one true God, the maker of all things, and this all-powerful and all-knowing God did not reside in man-made temples. In one of his letters written to the Corinthians, Paul explained that the Holy Spirit now lived within humans and that our body was the temple God lived in. This was not just for people 2000 years ago. This was true from that time forward to the present. Our bodies are temples for God’s presence to come into and make His home. I must admit that I have not taken care of my temple as well as I could have. For years, I ate foods that were horrible for my body. I gained way too much weight and became more sluggish. Because of this, I was less aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the present, I am doing what I can to reverse this. I am trying to discipline myself by exercising and eating correctly. I could also see how exercise and eating right could become my focus and I could totally miss the Holy Spirit’s presence. I realize that instead of focusing on me and my temple, I need to submit to the Holy Spirit within me. Questions to consider: How is your temple doing? How are you taking care of your body? Are there any changes that you need to make? How aware are you of the presence of God within you? Prayer: Father, thank You for helping me to take better care of the temple You have given me. Help me to remember that temples are not built by human hands but only by You. Amen.