HELPING PEOPLE ENCOUNTER GOD
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
Matthew 21:13 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
This passage is a quote from Jesus as He is cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem of the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifice. Jesus is angry because the true purpose of the Temple was to be a place where men of all nations encountered the presence of God through prayer. Instead, the Temple had become a commercial enterprise concerned more about making money than providing encounters with God.
Today I was hit with a new thought, as followers of Christ we are the temple of God. The Spirit of God lives in us, and God declares we are now God’s temple on earth. As the temple of God, we are to be houses of prayer. Our lives are to be marked as places where people encounter God.
When we commit ourselves to be faithful in prayer, we become walking temples where people can encounter God. Wherever you go today God wants to encounter people through you.
I see this regularly in my life. Yesterday I was at the gym and a person came up to be that I hadn’t seen in a long time. We had a brief conversation and they shared that their mother had just died. It was a tough season to lose their mom between Christmas and New Year’s. We took a few moments in the gym to have prayer together. Just a few moments when a friend had a chance to encounter God.
I think we miss what the Church is to really be when we limit prayer and encountering God to a building. God has chosen us to be His dwelling place on earth. We should be looking for opportunities to help people encounter God.
I have had years of practice in doing this without it being weird, loud, or embarrassing. I don’t think we have to make a show out of prayer. We don’t have to shout or get emotional—although many times there are some tears shed.
I believe when we spend quality time with God in daily prayer, we will be surprised at the opportunities God gives us to help others encounter His presence. Are you ready today to be God’s Temple of Prayer?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me today to see people the way You see them. Help me today to be prepared to offer a chance for someone to encounter You.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”