Because of yesterday’s PAIN, today, I had an MRI on my left ankle.
On the outside, the doctor could see the funny lumps that had grown up. With an x-ray, he could see the goofy bone issues. The doctor could not see what is going on inside the soft tissues of my foot with just an x-ray. Therefore, he ordered an MRI.
MRI’s are really neat inventions. With an MRI, he can see MORE than I’d like him to see, but at least, he can see this specific problem, and decide how to treat it. As I laid in the machine, meditating, and trying to keep my foot still for 30 minutes, I thought about what is inside me.
On the outside – you can see that I’m 5’2″, 240 pounds, female, caucasion, brown hair with silver streaks, and glasses. You might get the idea that I’m a ‘goody’ type of person – since I’m not wearing revealing clothes. This would sort of fit with the scripture 1 Tim 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Of course, different brands of Christianity, or faiths in general, have differing definitions of modesty. But modesty in dress is on the outside. One can dress modestly, but have a lustful heart.
From the outside, we can judge a little of the inside, because of the fruit that surrounds us.
Matt 7:16- 17 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
X-rays are for seeing what is inside a person. Well, not really all of the story, but x-rays can see the structure. What is holding up all the other stuff? This is the foundation of the body.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
X-rays can also see how we are building up that foundation, by the strength of the building around it.
1 Cor 3:12-13 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
We cannot know, totally, what is on the inside of a person, but that is what we are commanded to work on! We need the Fruit of the Spirit, to imitate the character of God, to build with gold, silver, precious stone, and even clothe ourselves with a meek and quiet spirit:
1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
We can judge some about others, but the most important judging is of ourselves.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Matt 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Righteous judgement, in my opinion, is judging as Jesus did…by their fruit. The other key is that, we will be judged by the same measure…so make sure the beam is out of our own eye FIRST!
That brings me to, how can I know what’s inside me? What’s inside MY heart?
Jer 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
It’s hopeless, right? Of course not…
Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
With God, all things ARE possible, even the searching, and judging of our own hearts…and HE will lead me in the way EVERLASTING! But WHAT is inside?
1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
When Jesus was resurrected, all the gang wanted Him to stay around, and He said:
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The Comforter is the third person of the GodHead, the Holy Spirit that indwells the saints. YOU can do the searching for the doctrines about how the Holy Spirit comes into a person! I’m just saying, we NEED the Holy Spirit abiding in this temple! Jesus promised SO MANY GIFTS from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!
John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
We ARE the temple of the Holy Ghost…HOLY Spirit…and the whole reason for the indwelling is for our comfort, teaching and remembrance! EDIFICATION!!!
Folks can put on all sorts of stuff on the outside, and folks can act all kinds of holy, but without the Holy Spirit within, when we go for our Eternal MRI, God will see nothing…because the Holy Spirit within is the spiritual evidence of Jesus Christ as our Savior.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
These steps are not necessarily going to be in order of priority, but rather, in order that God gives them to me to write about.
- Step 1 – Know your need for a Savior – Jesus Christ
- Step 2 – Recognize that all good things are a gift from God
- Step 3 – Cry out to God when you need help
- Step 3.5 – HE will bring people into your fellowship
- Step 4 – Know that YOU ARE the temple of the Holy Spirit – and make sure that HE dwells within!
Today, in my spiritual walk, I’m checking to make sure that the Holy Spirit is dwelling within this temple…and I think I may have some house cleaning to do!
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
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