Building a house for the Lord - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) December 21, 2021

Building a house for the Lord.

Isaiah 66:1 - This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

We often think of churches as God's house. There are countless spectacular church structures that were built in dedication to God. However, the Lord makes it clear that these buildings - despite the lofty motivations behind their construction - are far from the dwelling He truly seeks.

The only place God wants to reside in - here on earth - is in you and me.

What an incredible blessing that the Lord has told us we are His resting place here on earth. 1 Corinthians 3:16 - Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? Also, note 2 Corinthians 6:16 - What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

This despite the fact that we are nothing but dirt (Psalm 103:14). That we sin frequently and thereby fall short of giving Him the glory He deserves from our lives (Romans 3:23).

This begs the question - are we capable of being worthy temples for the Lord of lords? We are when we realize it isn't by our strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). We have to submit and surrender to Him so He can work in us and shape us into the radiant temple that pleases Him.

Additionally, John 14:23 - Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves Me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them. This spells out the literal steps we can take - to love our Savior Jesus Christ and obey His instructions.

Jesus streamlined His instructions into one easy to remember precept which the Book of James calls the Royal Law - “Love your neighbor as yourself” (James 2:8).

As such, the bricks of the house we build for the Lord are created through following that instruction. Showing love to our fellow human beings - saint and sinner alike. Putting judgment aside to care and express godly care and love to those around us and even those far away. Using our prayer time to intercede, blessing people in prayer, and in deed. The more we do these things, the more we obey God, and the more we grow into the houses on earth that He can and will dwell in.

Please join us today for Praise & Pray (for others) fellowship. We shall glorify the Lord just as the heavenly host constantly give Him praise (Psalm 148). Then, we shall take a cue from Jesus - our intercessor - and petition for the needs of others (Romans 8:34). These are just some steps we take, to the glory of God, to become worthy dwelling places for our King.

See you at 12 Noon EST. God bless you.​