Where is God? Acts 17:29-34 English Standard Version (ESV) 29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A29-34&version=ESV) (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=national+cathedral&view=detailv2&id=749926421C98210BEA6C582EF4C9B875D788F645&ccid=8Lw3jzCp&simid=607995223088366163&thid=JN.%2B4YUEkaMovfqlHtGREEn6g&mode=overlay&first=1) When I read this passage I have to think of buildings that have been built to signify our faith in Christ. I have been in some pretty amazing cathedrals here in the United States of America. The one picture above is our National Cathedral. This is found in our Nation’s Capital. On the welcome page of the Cathedral’s website, it states that it exhibits our Nation’s story of faith. It clearly states in this passage that our story of faith should not be contained in a building. Our story of faith should be on full exhibit for all to see as we live our lives. The story of faith in our great nation of the United States of America should be in the way we shine to other nations or to our neighbors, not, by architecture of things made from the hands of men. Our story should be shaped in our obedience to His word. Just think, if all the people involved in the building of this Cathedral would have spent a quarter of the time it took to build and instead ministered to others, how much richer might our nation be. How do we spend our time, what do we see as valuable, why is it that we waste so much time and money on trying to impress God and people with a building? We need to rather go forth and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As you seek God, remember, He is not in a building made of gold and silver, He is setting right beside you in your wherever you may be. Seeking Him with all my heart, Sheila

Acts 17:29-34

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁹ Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” ³³ So Paul went out from their midst. ³⁴ But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A29-34&version=ESV)

When I read this passage I had to think of buildings that have been built to honor of the mighty God we serve.   I have been in some pretty amazing cathedrals here in the United States of America and have heard of some amazing ones in Europe.  You can go to the following webpage and see many picture of our National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=national+cathedral&view=detailv2&id=749926421C98210BEA6C582EF4C9B875D788F645&ccid=8Lw3jzCp&simid=607995223088366163&thid=JN.%2B4YUEkaMovfqlHtGREEn6g&mode=overlay&first=1)

Yet, none of them can truly depict who God is and how great and powerful that He is.  One earthquake, tornado, or hurricane could destroy any of them in a split second but nothing can destroy God.  

On the welcome page of the Cathedral’s website, it states that it exhibits our Nation’s story of faith.

However, it clearly states in this passage that our story of faith should not be contained in a building.  Our story of faith should be on full exhibit for all to see as we live our lives.  The story of faith in our great nation of the United States of America should shine to other nations or to our neighbors, not, by way of architectural or interior design by the hands of men.  Our story should be shaped in our obedience to His Word.  Just think, if all the people involved in the building of this Cathedral would have spent a quarter of the time it took to build it to rather minister through love and care to others and grow in faith through studying His Word, our nation may not be so Spiritually dead today.  

How do we spend our time? What do we see as valuable? Why is it that we waste so much time and money on trying to impress God and people with a building?  We need to rather go forth and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As you seek God, remember, He is not in a building made of gold and silver.  He dwells among His people no matter if they are in a shack or in a mansion.  Christ demonstrated this to us as He ministered among the people in order that we might do the same thing.  When He was at the temple it was not to pray to God, He did that in the garden, rather, it was to teach others of the truths of God's Word.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila