In My Father's House

In my Father's House...

Patricia Ann

To me, there is no better place than being in my Father's House, my church home here in this world. It is a House of peace, a place to find comfort, to sing praises to our Father, glorifying His name. It is a House to learn of His word and works. It is His house where we are free share who He is... His wondrous Glory and His love.  
My Father's  house is a scared place among houses. It is not to be defiled. It is to behold His essence, His beauty and His Majesty within it's walls. My Father's house is a home for all who seek to sit in His presence and all are welcome there. 
Scripture shows us the story of Jesus, as a boy when He went to the temple, His Father's house. His parents noticed He was gone and had gone looking for Him. 
Luke 2:48-50, ”When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” “Why were you looking for Me? He asked," “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement He was making to them...
We also see that Jesus was very upset and angered when His Father's house was used as a place to buy and sell,

and He overturned the tables of the money changers. 
Matthew 21:12-13, Then Jesus went into the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there.

He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. And He declared to them,

“It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”…
Just as Jesus showed love and respect for His Father's house, we are to do the same.
Here in this world there are many churches... but are they truly  houses of God? From the small country church to the big mega church, our countrysides and cities are dotted with church buildings. Many stand empty, void of the congregations that once stood in awe of His presence inside His house. Many have been sold and turned into homes or businesses.

Yet, many more have fallen into ruin and fallen into heap of boards onto the ground. 
Then we see new churches built to house growing congregations and the mega church mentality that to be bigger is better... a bigger building holds more people means more money, but does it also mean more Jesus?  Many times, not, as these houses of God are void of His true presence. They look like church, they act like church, they do good works, but are they a true church, a true house of God as He created it to be?  Is the praise really praise? Is there a true Holy Spirit experience as the Glory of God fills the room and hearts of each person there? 
Do they leave the building with a joy in their heart, knowing that the essence of our Creator was pleased with them seeking Him personally... His love abounding within the walls of the church building, His House? 
It is true that Jesus is ever present, watching and walking with us daily as we experience the joys and trials of life. But it is also true that our Father in Heaven has special places, anointed and appointed for us to come together and worship Him, to sit with Him, to bask in His presence, experiencing the essence of His being within each of us. As we collectively sing praises to His name and seek Him earnestly, we find the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and experience an awesome time of fellowship as His children in this world. 
Jesus also spoke with His disciples about His Father's house in Heaven. This should be our eternal destination.
In John 14:1-2 Jesus speaks with His disciples and tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God: believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 

John 14 
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye

may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.
8 Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, 'Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, 'Show us the Father?'
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love Me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in Me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, 'Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?'
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, 'If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.'
24 He that loveth Me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent Me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter, I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

And so, as Jesus spoke to the disciples, comforting them as to what was to come, we are also called to speak the truth of our Father in Heaven to all who will hear. 
Let us praise our Father in His wondrous and glorious House, singing praises to His name, loving Him as our Creator, our Savior, our Comforter and our best friend. For it is in Him that we are created, in Him that we have life and in Him that we find our peace, joy and love. 
It is in Him and through Him that His Houses, appointed and anointed are to be full once again with a people risen from dry bones to life in Him... Holy Spirit-filled and overflowing with the essence of Who He is in us and us in Him.  
My prayer for today is that we seek to be in our Father's House, just as Jesus sought to be with His Father. Let us enter with love and respect for our Father's house, and as a people who serve our risen Savior.
Let us rejoice and sing praises to our Father in Heaven in His house!
Blessings to all in Jesus's precious name. Amen