The House That Jesus Builds…
Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.
We’ve had a bit of building going on in our house these last two months (August/September 2018). The results of a “bit” of water rushing to places it was never meant to go.
Though it is NOT something I would ever recommend to someone who wants to make a few changes to their nest, I have to say the opportunity to be changed (not just tweaked) and blessed have been “pressed down, shaken, full and overflowing”!
Once we emptied the rooms and areas that needed repair, and stashed everything in rooms and nooks and crannies and “out-of-the-way” places, we were sent packing also. A VACAY while others tore down, rebuilt, replaced, repainted!
Until late last week… it is now time to put all the STUFF back where it goes, along with cleaning, not just the current construction dust off the surfaces, but in many cases years of dirt/dust because of non-use. I didn’t put hammer to nail in “building” this house, but I certainly FILLED this house.
What an opportunity to revisit the labor that has taken place in this house over the last fourteen years! How much of my labor has been in vain? How much of my “sleepless” activity to fill all the spaces, has been useless in watching and guarding the ministry housed within my home?
Joshua 24:15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Overall, if I were to give my opinion/judgement of my work, I may not give myself an A+ or even a B or C+. But, I would happily rank myself as OK! I’ve tried to be a good child. I’ve tried not to worship the house Mary built!I fully admit I have not always filled my house well nor guarded the fearfully and wonderfully made treasure that God intended. Thankfully God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)The opportunity I have, is to take up each hoarded thing, dust it off, and put it away, working heartily, as for the Lord rather than for me, (Colossians 3:2)
During my short-lived vacay at the very clean, very comfortable, very quiet hotel, Jesus began to show me His building plans and His guarding duties.
John 21:15-17 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.
Do you love Me, Mary?
Not just a little… not just enough… not just in the big stuff.
Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
I have been told and have read that this Hebrew word for love is way more than an emotion of good will toward someone. This word holds a place of honor and loyalty that cannot be nor ever will be filled by anyone or anything else. It is the throne, the seat of ownership, that gives the Seated Royalty complete possession and authority over the person it resides in. Not just a little bit of the person, BUT THE WHOLE heart, soul, and might.
As I laid in bed each night, thanking my God – my Abba – my Jesus – my Holy Spirit, for this day which He had made, I declared my love for the Lord my God.
Do you love Me, Mary… with your WHOLE heart, soul, and might?
Now, as I begin to assess the “stuff” I have filled my house with, I have the opportunity to make sure NONE OF IT is taking the place of or crowding my King, whom I have given the throne of my life to.
King Jesus doesn’t want just a piece. He doesn’t want just my leftover space. He doesn’t even want just the pretty stuff. He doesn’t want just the Sabbath days. He doesn’t want just the dessert.
Do you love Me, Mary… with your WHOLE heart, soul, and might?
Does the house I have built reflect my answer? Yes and yes!
Yes… I want it to! And yes… We (Jesus and I) are working on it!
One of the men working on the repairs, told me that my house felt calm and peaceful. With tears threatening, I thanked him and told him that is the mission/ministry of my decorating plan. As for me and my house… But I don’t want you to just see the physical declarations, I want you SEE the work of my Lord in my house and in my life. My brother and I had a short but wonderful time confessing our love to our Lord for the work He does in our lives! We were “tending His sheep” (which is my definition of fellowship)!
The difference between the house that I build and the house Jesus builds will be the love it has and holds. The difference in the security measures I install and the security Jesus offers is eternity.
I cannot love God or anyone else with my WHOLE heart mind and might, without the One who makes me WHOLE! I cannot guard my home or my city from the sufferings of this present age without the One who goes before me, walks beside me, and resides within me.
For Sure… The House That Jesus (and I) build together will NEVER be in vain! And we know… Romans 8:28-30 that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.I am AWAKE and WATCHING… HIM!!!!!!
**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.