A phrase I often hear on a Christian radio station is "intentional living". It stands in sharp contrast to haphazard living, which might well describe how many people live - without plan or purpose. Intentional living implies direction; a purpose-driven life - another phrase used much these days.
A wise sage said, "the unexamined life isn't worth living". Our Father has worded it another way: "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1.5,7). Think about the direction of your life. Consider your priorities. Evaluate lifestyle.
In the case of God's message to His people through Haggai the prophet, they had placed high priority on their own comfort and ease. They were enjoying leisure at home while God's house lay in ruins (Haggai 1.4). So, His challenge was this: " 'Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,' says the LORD." (Haggai 1.8).
Lest we conclude that God's words are a mandate to start a church building program, we do well to first clarify what He means by "temple". While brick and mortar was once the place where God met with man, the plan is different these days. His temple is flesh and bone; blood-bought people (i.e., 1 Corinthians 3.16; 6.19). So, if He calls us to consider our ways regarding His temple, we intentionally give thought to our personal lifestyle, and our connection with the people of God.
Someone recently commented about a greater awareness of the need for genuine connections among the people of God. That sounds spot-on with God's words through Haggai. Consider your relationship with the "temple", the body of Christ. How genuine are your connections? Mere pleasantries on Sunday morning? Or, heartfelt sharing and prayer beyond the regular "services"? Are you actively encouraging the discouraged, and challenging the wayward?
I'm an eternal advocate of small groups; preferably home groups. We're never more of a kindred spirit with the original church than when we participate in authentic home groups, because that's what the first church was. The church that turned the world upside down didn't have brick and mortar meeting places; those came several hundred years later. At the start, the people of God devoted themselves to scripture, prayer, communion, meals - community life; all in home settings.
Intentional, purpose-driven living is about investing in the temple, the people of God. We start with Spirit-enabled living (Galatians 6.22-23), and then devote ourselves to one another. And, it's win-win: we get to know our Father better, and His Son; and we are enriched through our true family connections.
It's cliche' from an old commercial, but also a biblical mandate: reach out and touch someone. Connect with at least one other member of the body of Christ today, and be blessed as you are a blessing to them. Having done so, you will have taken an important step in intentional living for the king and kingdom.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
A wise sage said, "the unexamined life isn't worth living". Our Father has worded it another way: "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1.5,7). Think about the direction of your life. Consider your priorities. Evaluate lifestyle.
In the case of God's message to His people through Haggai the prophet, they had placed high priority on their own comfort and ease. They were enjoying leisure at home while God's house lay in ruins (Haggai 1.4). So, His challenge was this: " 'Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,' says the LORD." (Haggai 1.8).
Lest we conclude that God's words are a mandate to start a church building program, we do well to first clarify what He means by "temple". While brick and mortar was once the place where God met with man, the plan is different these days. His temple is flesh and bone; blood-bought people (i.e., 1 Corinthians 3.16; 6.19). So, if He calls us to consider our ways regarding His temple, we intentionally give thought to our personal lifestyle, and our connection with the people of God.
Someone recently commented about a greater awareness of the need for genuine connections among the people of God. That sounds spot-on with God's words through Haggai. Consider your relationship with the "temple", the body of Christ. How genuine are your connections? Mere pleasantries on Sunday morning? Or, heartfelt sharing and prayer beyond the regular "services"? Are you actively encouraging the discouraged, and challenging the wayward?
I'm an eternal advocate of small groups; preferably home groups. We're never more of a kindred spirit with the original church than when we participate in authentic home groups, because that's what the first church was. The church that turned the world upside down didn't have brick and mortar meeting places; those came several hundred years later. At the start, the people of God devoted themselves to scripture, prayer, communion, meals - community life; all in home settings.
Intentional, purpose-driven living is about investing in the temple, the people of God. We start with Spirit-enabled living (Galatians 6.22-23), and then devote ourselves to one another. And, it's win-win: we get to know our Father better, and His Son; and we are enriched through our true family connections.
It's cliche' from an old commercial, but also a biblical mandate: reach out and touch someone. Connect with at least one other member of the body of Christ today, and be blessed as you are a blessing to them. Having done so, you will have taken an important step in intentional living for the king and kingdom.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:21 AM
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