I'm Building a House!

Many of us refer to our churches as, "the house of God", and that is how it should be. Where we go to worship is the house of God.  Last week, my daughter and I went downtown in our city to take pictures.  We went inside some of the churches there to see what they looked like.  They were so beautiful and clean and showed honor to God in every corner.  There were stunning stained glass windows, pipe organs, polished pews, crosses, Bibles and hymnals.

We were struck with how much care and preparation was put into making God's house holy.  Everywhere we looked were symbols of holiness.  And it should be just that way. When we meet to pray and fellowship, we love for our house of worship to be a place where God's presence is welcome.  Our churches are symbols of where God lives, because people come there to invite and welcome Him in. We are aware of His presence there.  We give Him praise there.  We worship and adore Him there.  We take heed to His word there.  We repent and ask forgiveness there.  He makes us clean there!  

But did you know that your heart is the house of God too? When you've invited Him to be a part of your life, He takes up residence in your heart.  Do you make sure that His presence is welcome there?  Is your heart holy and pure, just like your church?  Of course, I don't mean that we have to be perfect or without sin, not making mistakes or having any fun.  But are you aware of Him being with you throughout your day, walking with you, talking with you?  Do you stop to give Him praise and worship?  Do you repent of a sin just committed?

I find that sometimes I have days of harboring bitterness or lashing out in anger or wallowing in self pity.  On those days, I know that my heart isn't pure towards God.  I let it become a dark cold place.  But He loves me so much, He doesn't leave.  He waits for me to ask His help in cleaning up my heart again.  In prayer and quiet time with Him, he washes me anew and makes me pure and holy, a vessel where God's presence is welcome!  I am building a house, God's house, and it's in me!

Knowing that my body and my heart are the temple of the Lord, I desire to make better decisions, love more, forgive often and sin less.  Is your heart a welcome house for the Lord?  Does He have fellowship with you there?  Do you love to clean "house" for Him?  As my daughter and I walked through those churches, I purposed in my heart to be more aware of my temple and to make sure that He always is welcome there!  I want every corner of my heart to honor Him.  I'm building a house that will be pleasing to Him; a place where He feels welcome and where we fellowship many times throughout the day.

Today I'm linking up with Paula Ebert at Worship Wednesdays.  Please visit there and see what others are saying about worship!

From His lap,