Going to the house of the Lord is a cause for celebration! Today, Jesus and His body are the house of the Lord. The "house" is not the building, but the assembled people of God. Today, we could "go to the house of the Lord," even if we gathered in a field.

I remember looking at a National Geographic magazine that featured great cathedrals of the world. The cover featured a photo of a grand cathedral, looking out through its colorful, ornate stained glass. The headline read, "Surely God Must be in this Place!" I thought, "A place like that doesn't impress God! He looks for His people."

Our facilities serve an important purpose, but God cares most about people and how we assemble together in His presence.

Jerusalem and the temple were places designated for the presence of God and the assembly of Israel. However, on the cross when Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" the "veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." (Matthew 27:51) This indicated that Jesus changed the location of God's presence. He began a new era of "true worship" of the Father "in spirit and in truth."

Now that we are the well built "House of God," recognize that when you fail to assemble with the family of God, the "seamless walls" of your church have gaps. Its like a building missing part of its structure and those absent parts missing their purpose.