Walking in the word of life

A house of sacrifice

Thursday, June 07

2 Chronicles 7:12-15 New International Version (NIV)

12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said:"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

King Solomon made a promise to God about building Him a temple. The building was now complete and God called it a house of sacrifice. It pleased the Lord and He called it a place of worship. He declared it a holy sanctuary.

Many times, we forget why we go to church. Sunday is just another day to be in the temple with a whole lot of people doing the same thing. Seems boring, huh. What makes church exciting is our motive for going to church. God called it a house of sacrifice. It is a place of worship. These days, we have television sets where we can learn the word of God. We have computers and YouTube; there are so many books about God and faith. We can learn the word of God from different kind of sources and still benefit. Why go to church anyway? When I can tune in on a Christian channel and listen to the word of life. Why go to church?

Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We can be encouraged by other people in the church. I know some of us can study the word of God and get uplifted. The word of God has power and gives life. No doubt, that healing can occur just by studying a few scriptures. It is not about the building but about the magnitude of God's presence in the church. This great power at work does not only become active once we step in the building. God's power is greater in the presence of many people. It does not matter if your place of worship is a house or a kiosk. What matters is true worship with other people. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

There is greater power when people stand together in prayer. We can pray on our own and still great things can happen. Nevertheless, we should not forsake coming together as one. The body of Christ cannot function without companionship. God created us for companionship. Adam would have been so lonely without Eve. We need each other as much as we need every part of our body.

2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Do you notice the scripture talks about people praying? Not one person, but if we all pray together. If we seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways, God will hear us from heaven. We should not overlook the power of praying and worshiping together. Whether it is dancing or singing for God. There is power in everything we do when we are at church. We can offer God our voices, our praises and our dances.

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord." – psalm 122:1

The house of God is a beautiful place to be. It is wonderful and amazing. We should rejoice when we have the opportunity to serve God with other brethren. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

We can worship God in truth and in the spirit. Praying together produces great results.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. – Acts 12:5

The church prayed for Peter while he slept in prison. The Bible says, while he slept, the church prayed eagerly for him. I doubt he worried much. Had I been in that position, I would be freaking out. Peter is the laid-back type of man. Nothing freaks him out. Therefore, he slept. The church never gave up on Peter. God never gave up on Him as well. They prayed and God answered.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. – acts 12:7

No sooner had the angel spoke than the chains fell off. How amazing is that? Friends, being in a place of worship does so many things that we could never do on our own. We should go to church. We should go to those prayer meetings and bible study sessions. We should enjoy God's presence even in the presence of our fellow brethren.

Prayer

Father, I thank you. I love you. Teach me how to pray in truth and in spirit with my brethren. There is power in togetherness. Help me not neglect assembling with others. Your word is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.