As we have covered, there is a principle of biblical interpretation called “the principle of first mention.” This principle (not law) states that wherever something is mentioned the first time in Scripture, there is usually a basic revelation of its purpose. For example, the first time the word “prophet” is mentioned, it is in the same verse where the word “pray” is used. This indicates how prayer and the prophetic are linked.

       The first time Scripture mentions that God has a house is in Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28. In this dream, Jacob...

       If you’re a parent of more than one child, it is likely that one of the great enigmas in your life is how two children who came from the same two parents can be born so different in nature. Then, we need to consider how we all have the same heavenly Father, yet every human being is so different! This has implications that can either help us or hinder us in understanding our world. How?

       First, if our God loves uniqueness and diversity so much that He sows creativity into each of us...

       To be the dwelling place of God is our highest calling. For us to stay on point, our main focus must not be on who we are called to be but on who He is and how we conform to His image. We are changed by beholding His glory, not our own. We need to know our calling and be devoted to it, but our main devotion must be to seeing and following Him. Only in this way can we attain to what we are called to be.

       Preaching the gospel of the...

       Buildings and programs are not the temple of the Lord; His people are. We don’t go to church; we are the church 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our structures and organizations will never be a substitute for what He called His church to be. Only His people can be this church.

       As we have covered, men have done great things for the Lord, and the Lord will bless the things done for Him as much as He can. However, He will not inhabit those things. He only inhabits what He builds,...

        Knowledge of the Lord is a treasure of uncountable value. Our calling is likewise an unfathomable honor of the highest value. It is, “the building up of the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. … We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the Head, even Christ” (see Ephesians 4:12-15).

       Are we growing up into Him?...