Today's scripture (Acts 2:41-47) describes a church I'd like to be part of were it to exist today. I've not traveled to other parts of the world, but I wonder if in places that have nothing close to the material blessings of America the Christian church might more closely resemble the one being described. The excitement, the presence, the power, the passion! I can't say I've ever considered selling all my possessions and using the proceeds to benefit all, as anyone had need, but that is what happened in those first days. Oh, what a difference a couple of thousand years can make!
Still, I am blessed to attend a church where I can encounter God in a unique way through corporate worship, learn about God and the truths of His Word, and engage in fellowship and mutual encouragement with other believers. Yet, on many weekends, I have to overcome an attitude of indifference about attending church. This indifference is pure selfishness, centered around whether I will experience anything worthwhile by attending. I always do experience something worthwhile every weekend, so why do I wonder whether or not I will?
It is because there is a part of me that should be dead that still lives. And where it lives, God does not. It lies, it distorts, it ignores truth, it seeks ease and pleasure, and it places its own needs above the needs of all, including God. Through the love of Christ, the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit, it is dead. It only comes back to life when I take my eyes off of Jesus.
We must learn to be in Gods presence outside the four walls of our Church Building. It is safe inside those four walls and may contribute to the focus we have to sense His presence. We can have this anywhere we are (I do not promote reading the word while driving). Stay engaged with prayer and Thankgiving and Praise. We are under great pressure from the World to live like them, being tempted to step aside from our walk with Christ, for what, instant pleasure and satifaction in the flesh. We are different in the sense that we do believe in Jesus Christ (Christian) we know there is greater times ahead of us in the Kingdom. I have learned so much from our fellowship, learning how to be in Gods presence in my personal prayer time. Understanding none of us are alone in our walk. There is great joy in each and every one of you, stay fed with the word. Jesus said in John 6:35 "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." This is not just another day, but a day to get that much closer to the Father. Just knowing He is with me just waiting for me to open up my heart and receive all that has been prepared.
ReplyDelete"From the lips of children and infants
ReplyDeleteyou have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalm 8:4)
The Enemy's mission is to distort the goodness of Almighty God, and he can only do that when we allow it. I heard it said, "If God can't help us we can't be helped." Ever since he gave the Jewish people the Law, he has been merciful and just to His people. Knowing we could not live up to His standard, he provided a perfect offering for our trangression of that Law. As BH sometimes says, good God, bad Devil! We must always bear in mind that the Destroyer comes to put a veil over the goodness of God. So we must guard against that by always lifting the Father up because He is constantly lifting us up when we stumble.
Blessings,
John