Temple Renovation

“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” - Haggai 1:4

To do lists are notorious for being never ending. We check off the items on one list, only to make another one right after for the next day. Some may even have their to-do lists organized according to areas in their life!
They are essential to keep us on track for things that need to get done. After all, during our stay here on earth, we want to make sure we lived a productive, controlled life where we could fulfill all or most of the goals we set for ourselves.

We must however, be careful, to place priorities in what really will impact our life. We must be careful to consider our ways.

It is easy to get caught up on all of OUR to-do's that we may begin to put aside HIS to-do's.

During a recent Bible study, after reading the first chapter of Haggai, the youth in my class asked why it was so wrong for the people of Israel to work hard on their home. After all, they were not worshipping other idols, murdering, or stealing, simply sprucing up their homes.

The key was, they were focusing on their homes, while His home was left in ruins. It was collecting dust, with termites or rodents probably inhabiting it as their new found home.
When we picture the place where God's glory was to reside, the image just portrayed is the least image we would ever have.

Paul, reminds us that our body is the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our body that he refers to here should be considered as our mind, body and soul. The whole nine yards per se.

As we look down at our to-do lists, where does focusing more on His will and on Him, stand as a priority?

Embarrassed, I will be the first to admit that I have had days where cleaning every room in the house, updating my facebook, finishing a painting (that has yet to be put up for sale), has taken priority of rebuilding His temple within me.
While I focus on my kingdom, His kingdom remains unfinished in my life.

God has already set out the part for us in rebuilding His temple that so often gets neglected. He has provided the materials, and tools. The only thing missing, is our labor to lay the foundation and the brick in building a beautiful temple where His glory can reside and through the windows the world will be able to witness the most beautiful presence ever known.

Today, I invite you to reassess our priorities where God is the main focus of our list. Where His presence can navigate our lives to begin checking off His to-do list that He has given us as His children to take on.

PRAYER

Dear Father, how great is your mercy that you should care for us constantly despite of us neglecting your temple. How forgiving and gracious you are to watch over us lovingly when we forget to do your will. Help us Lord to remember, the purpose for which we were created. Help us in each and every day to add to building your temple in which you can forever reside.

AMEN

The moon comes up before you know it

“Following the Lord is a daily responsibility which involves the subordination of my desires and will to His. For this to take place effectively, we need daily time with Him, waiting at His throne.” Luke 9: 23

Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we forget who gave it to us... and who gave it all for us.-anonymous

A Soul without prayer is like lungs with no air.-anonymous

The sun is up on your side of planet earth. The alarm rings, you wake up, but your eyes remain closed, and you begin to utter and mumble, “Thank You, God for another day” as you run into the shower. In just another few minutes and without breakfast, you head out the door to your destination.  After a long day, you get home, and thankfully find yourself less pressed for time, but still a few things on the to-do-list have not yet been crossed off, but you begin to wonder, where is some “me time”? The couch looks inviting, and a movie with the significant other cannot be missed so you cuddle up and before you know it, the moon has switched places with the sun and now even if you want to pray or read God’s Word, your eyes are letting you know it’s-closing time, “tomorrow, I’ll wake up early to spend some time with You,” is what you say to God as you fall fast asleep.  But- The Sun comes up the next day and it starts of like the day before, the ending is up to you for He does not impose Himself on us, but only His care and love.

(Psalm 68: 19) “God is committed to our care, deliverance, and direction ( Peter 5: 6-7). He is our burden bearer, but our need is to learn to take our burdens to the Lord daily (Prov. 8:34) in humble submission to His sovereign purposes.”

Just like a person needing to make changes in their diet and activities to get healthier or lose weight, we need to make changes in our day to gain a friend who is always waiting for us all day long to speak to us, to listen to us, this friend-Jesus. Sacrifices must be made to be able to experience awesome moments with Him. He waits every day for you to come to Him and speak to Him as much as you do to your friends or relatives, and even more. He wants to guide you, comfort you, and become your daily Captain. But He will never impose Himself on You, oh, butt how merciful is He that, as you push Him away and replace Him with movies, or tasks, He still imposes love and care on you. O Father, How merciful You are, for if You treated us as we treated You, we would no longer be here.

Make a decision right now, make a change today, that you will seek God more and more each day, for He deserves our time, and we need this time alone with Him, because there will come a day, when all this will pass away, and He who waited for us night and day, will no longer wait, for the coming of the end of days, will soon be at hand.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55: 6