Build God's Church

 And so I say to you, you are Peter, 

and upon this rock I will build my Church, 

and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 

MATTHEW 16 : 18

Lord Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” It is You who made all things possible for me to accomplish. You have revealed to me great things that are far beyond my comprehension which only You can teach me and make me understand.

Even when I was a sinner, you brought me into Your church. You gave me a responsibility to build Your house eventhough in truth, I could not even build my own. As always, I completely surrender everything to You my Lord who knows what is truly best for me. 

Truly, You have opened to me the floodgates of heaven and I continue to receive Your abundance and limitlless graces and blessings. Thank You so much for the gifts and blessings of bonds that became the source of my profitable works and livelihood. 

Please accept my humble offering of praise and thanksgiving for all that You have done and continue to do over our lives and sharing with us the joy of Your greatness and glory. 

All glory and honor are Yours now and forever. Amen.

Published:

June 29, 2023, 10:40 AM

House of the Lord

“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, 

but you have made it a den of thieves.”

LUKE 19:46

In this passage, Jesus expresses His disapproval of the misuse of the temple in Jerusalem. Instead of being a sacred place for worship and prayer, it had become a hub of commercial activity and exploitation.

The context behind this quote is essential. Jesus had entered the temple and witnessed money changers and merchants conducting business within its walls. His righteous anger led him to overturn tables and drive out those who were profiting from the sacred space. By quoting this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of maintaining the sanctity of places of worship.

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. (Luke 19:45-48)

The message remains relevant today, reminding us to honor the spiritual significance of our sacred spaces and to avoid turning them into centers of greed or corruption. Beyond physical structures, the Lord’s House represents a place of prayer, worship, and communion with God. It is where believers seek solace, guidance, and connection to the divine. Psalm 84:1 beautifully expresses this longing: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!”

In the Bible, the term “House of God” refers to sacred places of worship. Here are some notable references:

Genesis 28:16-17: After Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching heaven, he declared, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” He recognized that the location was none other than the house of God and the gate of heaven.

God instructed the construction of a sanctuary (the tabernacle) where His presence would dwell among the people. (Exodus 25:8-9)

David desired to build a permanent house for God, but God reminded him that He had been moving with the Israelites in a tent (tabernacle) since their exodus from Egypt. (2 Samuel 7:5-7)

Solomon eventually built the temple in Jerusalem, which became the central house of God. (Acts 7:45-47)

The phrase “dwelling in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6) symbolizes being in God’s presence eternally.

"The house of the LORD shall be established, and shall be raised; and all shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come to the house God; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths." (Isaiah 2 : 2-3)

In a broader sense, the Lord’s House can extend beyond physical buildings. It encompasses the heart of every believer, where God’s Spirit resides.Our lives become His dwelling place, and our actions reflect His presence. At The Lord’s House, we preach the Word of God, believing it is inspired by our Heavenly Father. 

The sanctuary, once defiled, shall now be restored—a beacon of hope, a refuge for weary souls. Let us tread these consecrated steps, for in our ascent, we draw closer to the Divine. Let us ascend to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it. In this sacred endeavor, we shall cleanse the temple, removing any impurities that have tarnished its holiness. With hearts aflame, we shall consecrate it anew, dedicating it to the worship of the Divine.

Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.” So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made. On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev. (1 Maccabees 2:15-29)

The altar awaits our offerings—the sacrifices of contrition, gratitude, and surrender. The ark of the covenant beckons us, reminding us of God’s covenantal love. And the veil, once torn, grants us access to the innermost chambers where His glory dwells. As we climb the steps, let our prayers rise like incense, filling the hallowed halls. May our intentions be pure, our actions righteous, and our devotion unwavering. Let the echoes of our voices resonate with the angels, harmonizing with the celestial choir.

Together, we shall kindle the lamps, symbolizing the illumination of truth. We shall anoint the sacred vessels, infusing them with sanctity. And as we rededicate this holy place, may it radiate with the presence of the Almighty. Let us go up, for the Lord awaits us. His grace descends like a gentle rain, washing away our transgressions. His mercy renews us, and His Spirit rekindles the flame of devotion within our hearts.

“Blessed may you be, O Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” “Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours.”  “Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor are from you.” “You have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (1 Chronicles 29:10, 11, 11-12, 12)

Acknowledge the sovereignty of the Divine—the One whose majesty transcends the cosmos, whose splendor illuminates the celestial realms, and whose glory resounds throughout creation. Grandeur unfurls like the vast expanse of the universe, stretching beyond our comprehension. It is the cosmic symphony—the harmonious dance of galaxies, the pulsing of quasars, and the delicate balance of celestial forces.

Power courses through the veins of existence—the primal energy that birthed stars, sculpted mountains, and set planets in motion. It is the force that sustains life, propels tides, and orchestrates the seasons. Majesty adorns the heavens—the jeweled tapestry of constellations, the auroras painting the polar skies, and the silent reverence of moonlit nights. It is the throne of the Eternal, where angels bow in awe.

Splendor radiates from every atom—the iridescence of a butterfly’s wing, the shimmering dew on morning petals, and the luminescence of souls touched by grace. It is the divine artistry woven into existence. And glory—oh, the ineffable glory! It is the hymn sung by the wind through ancient forests, the crescendo of crashing waves, and the whispered prayers of saints. It is the echo of eternity in finite moments.

So, let us lift our voices, whether in cathedral or wilderness, and join the cosmic chorus. For all that exists—every quasar, every dewdrop, every beating heart—belongs to the One who breathed life into stardust.

Pericope:

VI: The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem

THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE

Luke 19:45-48

II: The Maccabean Revolt

PAGAN WORSHIP REFUSED

1 Maccabees 2:15-29

II: The History of David

DAVID'S PRAYER

1 Chronicles 29:10-22

Reflection Source:

Microsoft Bing

Father in heaven, Your word is the purpose of my life in the world!

By your will, you made me an instrument to build your house and I claim your promise of building mine today. You have set my feet to another place with the same purpose of expanding the facilities of Your house where more people can gather and praise you. It is not by my will for I am unworthy of such noble task but as always, You are the source of all that will happen and all I have to do is obey.

In gratitude and with deepest love for you I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Published:

November 28, 2011, 7:15 AM

Plans and Designs

The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations; 

He foils the designs of peoples. 

But the plan of the Lord stands forever; 

the design of his heart, through all generations. 

PSALM 33:10-11

Father in heaven, Your plans and designs stands forever. All that You have built and developed during my lifetime in the world will not be for nought for they are permanent and shall be inherited by my future generation. Be praised and glorified O Lord for making me experience the greatness of Your glory now and forever.

Today, I humbly ask and pray for Your guiding wisdom O Lord as I continue to hope in Your kindness all my days. Set Your eyes upon me so that I will always see clearly all Your will and purpose for this life that You have given me. Continue to sharpen my skills so that in everything I say and do, You will praised and glorifies.

Thank You so much for all the gladness that You bring to each moment of my life despite all the crisis and famine in the world. Truly, nothing and no one can ever stop You from keeping me under Your full guidance, protection, and care. As always, I lift up to You my entire being and that of my household. We are Yours O Lord!

With much love, gratitude, and full of praise and thanksgiving I humbly pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

SOLID FOUNDATION

"Why do you call me, 

‘Lord, Lord,’ 

but not do 

what I command?"

(Luke 6:46)

THE TWO FOUNDATIONS
Luke 6: 46-49

47 "I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them.


48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.

49 But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”


THE NEW JERUSALEM
Revelation 21:12-14

12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed;

13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.





Published:
August 24, 1015, 9:28 AM

Build Up

For the LORD will build up Zion,

he will appear in his glory; 

he will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their supplication.

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height, from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die; that men may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD. -- Psalms 102: 16 - 21, 29, 22

It is truly amazing how the Lord works over the life of those who love Him. He builds them up in a way that brings glory to His Name. All the desires of their hearts are given in abundance and overflowing.

Finally, after many years of patiently waiting for the Lord's promise, the chains of my struggle to become successful at work have been broken. God had set me free and begun His mighty works in me, building me up for the praise and glory of His Name.

Recently, the Lord expanded the boundaries of my territories by way of establishing for me another company at Madrigal Business Park.

I am no longer a prisoner of the world but a prisoner for the Lord . . .

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

And his gifts were that some should be apostles, 

some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 

for building up the body of Christ,

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. -- Ephesians 4: 1 - 7, 11 - 13

TIME TO REBUILD

TIME HAS COME

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD."

Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?


CONSIDER HOW YOU HAVE FARED

Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes. "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared.


GATHER RESOURCES AND BUILD

Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the LORD.

-- Haggai 1: 1 - 8

Jesus is the Door

So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them.

I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

-- John 10:7-10

Jesus is the Cornerstone

The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. -- Psalm 118:22

This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." -- Acts 4:11-12

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. -- Ephesians 2: 19 - 22

Guard your House

Casting out Demons
But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Be-el'zebul, the prince of demons"; while others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven.

A Divided Household Falls
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul. And if I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Guard your House
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.

He who is not with me is against me, 

and he who does not gather with me scatters.

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest; and finding none he says, `I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first."

-- Luke 11: 15 - 26

Why do you call me `Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. -- Luke 6: 46 - 49

The Lord's House is my Home

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise (Ps. 84: 3-4)!