What Sort of House Will You Build for God?

Dan Kunz

My wife and I have lived in the same house for thirty-nine years. We’ve raised four daughters there. We’ve dealt with the grief of deaths in the family and the joy of the births of grandchildren there. We’ve celebrated countless birthdays and filled photo album after photo album with visual reminders of years and years of life there. In short, it has been not just our house, but our home. Now, after all these years, we’re building a new house. It will not have fourteen steps to the main floor, as our current home has. It will have lots of fun spaces to entice children and grandchildren to visit! The question is – How do we make it our home?

The answer appears in Acts 7:49, “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What sort of house will you build for me? Says the Lord, or what is my resting place?” If we make sure our most important family member moves with us, it will be our home. If God has a prominent place in our lives and in our house, it will be our home. If everything we do reflects his grace and his love, it will be our home.

For countless millions throughout the world in these frightening and unsure times, God is not in their homes the way he is with you and me. When you and I, as Christians, are asked to “shelter in place”, it may not be convenient, but it shouldn’t be terrifying. God himself has promised to be with us always and says he will not give us more than we can handle.

The popular phrase, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future,” is, perhaps, more meaningful now than ever. We have a home where God lives and encourages and comforts. It’s also important to remember we have a heavenly home which is even better.

If God chooses the Covid-19 virus to be our means of entering our heavenly home, it’s just another means to an end, arrival in paradise. Cancer, heart failure, and auto accidents are simply an end to this life, not an end to life!

These difficult times bring with them not only incredible challenges, but incredible opportunities as well. Because so many people are frightened, God’s people, his messengers, can encourage and comfort others with God’s Word, just like God does in our own lives. You may have to do so via social media or support for existing ministries right now, rather than face-to-face, but many need what we have to offer.

The desperate need for food, shelter, financial support, and other things give us the opportunity to show the love of Jesus in very real, physical ways. The feeling of togetherness in our country is perhaps God’s way of tapping us on the shoulder and reminding us we are all his beloved children.

This may be an opportunity to establish or improve relationships with everyone around us. Finally, this crisis has given most people more time - time away from the other distractions in our lives and time instead to pray, read God’s Word, grow closer to family members, and all the other things we never seem to have enough time to do. This is the house you can build for God!

SOCIAL DISTANCING. QUARANTINE. PANDEMIC.

Daily life looks a lot different these days. Many people are fearful, anxious and struggling with grief, new routines and the question of "What's next?".

It's a perfect time to share Jesus.

We've received a lot of emails asking just how to do that. Many are looking for practical ways to share God's powerful words. Others are curious how to get to the heart of what is driving the fear so many of their loved ones are feeling.

New resources for you:

7 Ways to Witness When the World is Socially Distant offers practical ways to share Jesus, even when we are physically separated.

Share the comfort we find in God’s promises of peace and presence. We have two new articles on Be Ye Perfect written for a time like this. Share them with a friend today:

* Are you at peace with God?

* How far is God?

I pray these tools will get your wheels turning about the many ways we can share Jesus—even when we’re far apart or the news is full of turmoil. There is such joy to be found in sharing what God means to you!

Peace in Jesus,

Pastor Mark Cares

P.S. We are praying that you are finding comfort from God's Word during this difficult time and the assurance that nothing can separate you from his love. Is there anything specific we can pray for you? Click here to email us. May God wrap his arms around you and your loved ones!

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