God is not contained by our buildings, our traditions, our rules.
Even though the Temple was painstakingly built with utmost care, resulting in a beautiful place of worship, God’s desire and expectation was the people’s obedience.
We often don’t understand God’s ways, especially when God allows us to go through hardship and difficulty.
The Gospel is good news for our world, but because of sin and how people often respond, it can be bitter…
As followers of Jesus, we may feel overwhelmed by the world’s opposition or mere indifference to the kingdom of God.
Are we listening to what the Holy Spirit would be saying to us today, not only as individuals but also as local churches?
As followers of Jesus, our focus should be on growing in the faith, praying, and loving God and others, waiting hopefully for Christ’s return.
In these verses, we see discipleship in action: practicing one’s faith by putting it into action, helping others with real needs and imitating those who living as disciples of Christ.