Daily Reading - "You Are...Fellow Citizens...Members Of God's Household...A Holy Temple." Ephesians 2:19-21 NIV

So here is how it read today...

Thur Dec. 18
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"YOU ARE...FELLOW CITIZENS...MEMBERS OF GOD'S HOUSEHOLD...A HOLY TEMPLE." (EPHESIANS 2:19-21 NIV)
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The privilege and responsibilities of membership

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If your children stood outside your house pleading to get in, what would you think? Wouldn't you say, "Come in, you're my flesh and blood, I love you, you don't need to beg?" Well, we can come into God's presence at any time. We are "No longer strangers...but fellow citizens...of the household of God...a holy temple" (NKJV). What privileges:

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...........(a) As "fellow citizens" we represent God's kingdom on the earth. We are His ambassadors (2Co 5:20). "What does an ambassador do?" you ask. He stays in communication with his king, understands his will and makes sure it's carried out. He also knows he doesn't belong there permanently, so he lives, ready for recall at a moment's notice. Getting the idea? (b) Because we belong to the "household of God" we can come confidently before God at any time, with any need, and know that we'll be received with love. God is the father you always hoped for and you are the child He always wanted. If you have any doubts, look at the cross; that's how much God values you. But remember, every family member is supposed to contribute, be loyal, and make sure the family's good name is protected. (c) We are "a holy temple." In the Old Testament God had a temple for His people, but now God has a people for His temple. The Bible says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God" (1Co 6:19-20 NIV).