Hearts and Houses For God

The God who created the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, because it is He who gives to all [people] life and breath and all things. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands and territories. This was so that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:24-27)

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

When the righteous cry [for help], the LORD hears

And rescues them from all their distress and troubles.

The LORD is near to the heartbroken

And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin). (Psalm 34:16-18)

For the high and exalted One He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this, I dwell on the high and holy place, But also with the contrite and humble in spirit In order to revive the spirit of the humble. And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin]. (Isaiah 57:15) He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].

He counts the number of the stars;

He calls them all by their names.

Great is our [majestic and mighty] Lord and abundant in strength;

His understanding is inexhaustible [infinite, boundless].

The LORD lifts up the humble;

He casts the wicked down to the ground. (Psalm 147:4-6)

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, To all who call on Him in truth (without guile).

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience]; He also will hear their cry and will save them. (Psalm 145:18-19)

So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

For what great nation is there that has a God so near to it as the LORD our God [is to us] whenever we call on Him? (Deuteronomy 4:6-7)

Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you.

Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies, And who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart (Psalm 119:2) As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and minds, and understands every intent and inclination of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever.

Consider this carefully, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be courageous and strong and do it. (1 Chronicles 28:9-10) Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock. But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:47-49)

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.

Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common).

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.(2 Timothy 2:19-21)

Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. (James 4:8)