Raise the Roof...

Invitation 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 (NLT*) – “ Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen to every prayer made in this place, for I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be my home forever. My eyes and my heart will always be here.” Together we are about to embark on a wonderful journey into the experience of relationship, worship, and communication with God! In this study we will work to develop a face-to-face transparent union with the Holy Spirit. As we develop and practice a lifestyle of intentional spiritual communication, the desire to live a Christ-centered life begins to flourish. Together we will gain an understanding that praise is the practice we must employ to express our love and awe of God, while prayer is the vessel we use to receive the blessings, gifts, and graces from God. A life dedicated to active praise and prayer will proclaim to others the message that Jesus Christ alone provided the way for our salvation and therefore He alone is worthy of our deepest adoration and devotion. “…for I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be my home forever.” Consider the invitation issued in those few words. The Bible says that each of us is God’s living Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and that our lives and bodies should be poured out as a sacrifice to Him because of the sacrifice of blood that flowed from the body of Jesus for us. His people are chosen apart from all others as the place in which the spirit of God will make His home forever! Once we establish His residence in us, we have the eyes and heart of God upon us and within us forever. Have you ever considered what essential practices we must assume to maintain ourselves as holy places where God’s glory can dwell? We learn that God desires those called by His name to humble themselves by praying, seeking His face in worship, and turning from wicked ways in deliverance. As we do so, God will be delighted in the songs of joy that are alive in our hearts and listen to the cries of pain that plague us as we call out to be saved! Hear it again… “I will listen to every prayer made in this place….” We read in the Bible that the body will become a Temple and a home of God. Now picture a place you call home. Does this create a feeling of comfort, rest, familiarity, safety, and acceptance? Now imagine that we are at home with God and God chooses to be at home with us! Jesus stood in the Temple courts defending His actions once again to the religious leaders. He had just finished clearing the Holy Temple, which was His Father’s house, from every kind of wickedness, corruption, and filthiness that was present there. He announced with authority that this earthy Temple will be destroyed but that He would raise it up in three days (John 2:19-24). The newly built Temple to which He was referring was in fact His body after His death upon the cross. Jesus’ death has brought God into each one of us. Old foundations were removed, and a new foundation was constructed. Temples here on earth built by man will not stand forever but will be brought down.