Rebuild My Temple

"Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?" ~ Haggai 1:4 (NLT)

If we all ponder on this scripture, in a way we can see ourselves in what the Lord is saying. Our focus is on how we can build our kingdoms and make ourselves and our families comfortable. We have been living a convenient life of Christianity, which shouldn't be. The Lord is saying it is enough!

Verses 5 and 6 shows exactly the state of where the body of Christ is. The Preachers have gone haywire with the prosperity message, but the more they preach it, the more lack is emphasised. Does that not show that there is something wrong somewhere? " You have planted much, but harvested little...."

The 'prosperity messages' have their place. Of course, the Lord wants His people to prosper as He said in 3 John 3:1-2:
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
But our heart, our motive is totally wrong. It is all about 'me' and 'my kingdom' instead of God and His Kingdom. Proverbs 17:20:
 "A bad motive can't achieve a good end;
   double-talk brings you double trouble." (Message Bible) 
Verse 13 of Haggai 2, "Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin."

He instructed us in verse 7 to "go up into the hills, bring down timber.....", that is the work of our hands, our callings (Pastors, Doctors, Lawyers, Businessmen etc), " and rebuild my house".

Eccl: 9:10-11
Verse 10 - "Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom." 

The 'whatever' there is what God has called and purposed us to do. It is time to align ourselves to God's will and purpose for us. It is time to do God's work.That is what will save us from the economic depression that has been prophesied over and over again.

Chapter 2 of Haggai, verse 20:
“Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other."

Chapter 2 of Haggai, verses 6-9:
“For this is what the Lord Almighty says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord Almighty. "

But God assured His own people with these promises; the ones that stay in obedience by rebuilding His temple, the ones that says, "Your will O Lord is my will":
"I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.” Verse 19
^"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord Almighty. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Almighty, have spoken!” Verses 8 and 9
“But when this happens, says the Lord Almighty, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken!” Verse 23

Seek God for your calling, purpose and your positioning, watch and guard your heart and motive, and do the work of the Lord dilligently and faithfully!