These three houses have something in common. You may not see it (probably won't at all) but I do. One is for public use (picture of the Valley Falls library), one is the smallest house I have ever seen (100 square foot) and one is in the middle of a river (guess they don't need a doorbell). Two are made of wood and one of stone and obviously they are of different sizes, shapes and construction materials. Figured it out yet? Here is a clue- they all relate to us all individually. They represent something. Read on to see how they do....
1 Peter, Chapter 2
1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Because it is contained in Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious:
He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and,
“a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10 who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
We all live in our own little world, surrounded by skin. Its our house. Its where we live, think, move and do all the things human beings do. Peter likens us to living stones and those stones are found on the ROCK which is THE CHRIST!!! Collectively, we make up the church, which is the body of Christ and spiritually we become one. To many outside the church, this is nonsense, but to those who are spiritually receptive- it just makes sense!!! And because of this relationship with Christ and our fellow Christians, we grow and grow in godliness!!! No matter what shape, size, color or age, you are a house; a house designed by and for God, that you might proclaim his excellence. If you can't say this-- its time for a remodel of your own dwelling by the master architect of the universe!!! Check out the beginning blueprint-- its found it Acts, Chapter two!!! What are you waiting for-- just do it!!!