November 2003 Newsletter
The “November Newsletter” is up on the ASK Website, as are an article by Dr. Ernest L. Martin titled “The Corinthian Experience” and an article that I wrote titled “The Pattern of the Temple. The Newsletter explains somewhat the connection between the two articles.
“The Pattern of the Temple” tells how God gave precise instructions and details about how the Temple should be constructed, instructions that David and his son Solomon (who did the actual construction) followed precisely. Likewise you a part of the living Temple of God. Note also that these verses come mostly from Paul's letters to the Corinthian churches:
“What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”For in truth God does not live in Temples made with hands, a point that is made by Jesus in His prophecy in Mark 14:58 where He makes a distinction between a Temple made with hands and a Temple made without hands. Stephen (Acts 7:48), and Paul (Acts 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 9:11, 9:24). See also• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”• 2 Corinthians 5:1
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ”• 2 Corinthians 6:16
“But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church [ekklesia] of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”God paid a great deal of attention to the details of the earthly Tabernacle and Temples, how much more does He care about the details of His Temple not made with hands, the Body of Christ, the ekklesia of God? YOU are one of those details.• 1 Timothy 3:15
Likewise as Paul discusses in 1 Timothy 3:15, proper behavior in life is crucial to the orderly functioning and reputation of the ekklesia, which is exactly the discussion of Dr. Martin’s article, “The Corinthian Experience.”
So ... read the two articles and note this relationship while you read. It shall enhance your enjoyment and your understanding of the love and grace of our God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
A surprising number of you have communicated your concern about my safety, my family’s safety and the safety of my home during the recent fires in California. While we live in a far-eastern suburb of Los Angeles, Riverside, we were never in any danger from any of the fires. Our location is urban and without much vegetation. A group of tall hills (or small mountains) separate us from the north and the west from the danger areas that were about some 20 to 30 miles away. These small mountains are unusual in that they have no vegetation (and apparently no water) on them. They are huge natural firebreaks.
However, even though we were not in any danger at any time (as far as we could tell), my wife and I took nothing for granted and monitored the movements of the fires closely. I do not know if these fires were of such a magnitude to change the climate of the area. I hope not. However, a large number of carbon dioxide-inhaling, oxygen-exhaling plants were destroyed, over almost a million acres. The rainy season is looked upon with dread for those whose homes survived but their hillsides were burnt of foliage. Flooding and mudslides will be a problem when the rains come next winter and spring.
Again, thank you so much for your concern for our situation. We are continually humbled by your thoughtfulness. And especially thank you for your support through your prayers, contributions and expressions of encouragement that are so welcome.
David Sielaff
david@askelm.com
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