"The Builder and Keeper"

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalms 127:1)

  There are some things that are seriously out of our control and better left up to God. If you have spent any time in ministry you have hopefully grown to understand this and to know what things are His to do, and hopefully, you know what are your's to do. I tend to think of it as if we are the hands and feet of God; if it requires physical action, such as sweeping and taking out the trash, then it is something that is up to us and our responsibility. But when it comes to the actual ministry, which involves people, it is all about God doing His thing; we just need to love! Really, is it really that simple? Well, once we are filled with the Spirit, yes it is; because we cannot love the way that we need to love without the Holy Spirit helping us and leading our hearts. Look at it like this: The house that is built, does not just have the proper foundation, it must also have the proper Builder! We are just laborers working on the house that He builds; if it is not Him building the house, then those that build it are building it for themselves and for their own glory. I have seen enough of this to know how that works, as I have watched pastors and elders in the church start doing things in their own strength and ability to try and grow their churches, only to discover they have built something that they cannot control or keep under their control. It is really not that hard to understand, if the LORD does not build it, then the builder is not the LORD! If the builder is not the LORD, then how can it possibly called the LORD's house? We are just workmen in the LORD's house; whether that involves building it or maintaining it, we are all just laborers for His work and the ministry belongs to Him. To the point of keeping the city, it is something more than just the surrounding areas of the house that is built, it is a place that is fortified and protected. Who is guarding your house? ADT or Simply Safe can only do so much; but God, if He is guarding your home, then you have true security! Now, to take this to the next level, the love of God has no bounds! This goes for our personal qualities and well as for our personal surroundings; as off the wall as that might sound, there are no limits to how far He will take us or how much He can stretch us; basically, the house and the city are also referring to you and me...

"Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials -gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of fire." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) NLT