In what ways can we prioritize God's house in our own lives today? The Call Found in 2 Chronicles 24:4 “Some time later, Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the LORD.” Like King Joash, we are urged to set our hearts—our will, affection, and resources—toward God’s dwelling place. Why God’s House Still Matters • Psalm 26:8 — “LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides.” • 1 Timothy 3:15 — The church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth.” • Ephesians 2:19-22 — Together we “are being built into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” God’s presence, His truth, and His people converge in the church; therefore, prioritizing His house means treasuring what He treasures. Practical Ways to Prioritize God’s House Today 1. Commit to Gather • Hebrews 10:24-25 — “Let us not neglect meeting together.” • Regular, expectant attendance keeps Christ’s body healthy and unified. 2. Invest Your Resources • Proverbs 3:9 — “Honor the LORD with your wealth.” • Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse.” • Budget for the church first, not last. 3. Offer Your Gifts and Skills • 1 Peter 4:10 — “Serve one another with the gift each has received.” • Whether teaching, cleaning, counseling, or fixing a roof, all service dignifies God’s house. 4. Guard Reverence and Purity • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. • Personal holiness safeguards the collective holiness of the church. 5. Maintain the Physical Space • Haggai 1:4 — “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” • Volunteer days, work teams, and renovations testify that the Lord’s dwelling is not second-rate. 6. Uphold Sound Teaching • Acts 2:42 — “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” • Support doctrinally faithful preaching, Bible studies, and discipleship paths. 7. Encourage and Pray for Leaders • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 — “Respect those who labor among you.” • Provide practical help and heartfelt gratitude to pastors, elders, and ministry heads. Living as God’s House Between Sundays • Family worship: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 encourages truth talked over meals and bedsides. • Hospitality: Romans 12:13 invites believers into our homes, extending the church’s warmth. • Witness: Matthew 5:14-16 calls the church a city on a hill; our workplace integrity and neighborhood kindness keep the lights on all week. Blessings That Follow Prioritizing God’s House • Spiritual vitality (Psalm 84:4) • Unity among believers (Psalm 133:1) • A credible gospel witness (John 13:35) • Eternal fruit that endures (1 Corinthians 15:58) Setting our hearts on God’s house, like Joash, is not a duty born of guilt but a joy anchored in love for the One who first set His heart on us. |
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