A Good Church?

 

A friend is moving to a new area and in our conversation he commented that leaving his small, country church behind was hard because it is a nurturing community, led by a solid pastor, that is Biblically sound. He wondered about finding a good church in the town where they were re-locating.  America has thousands of churches – big and small – but not all are ‘good’ churches.  Some are more like a circus or show than a true Body of Christian believers. A circus makes us ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ by giving us a spectacle. The vivid colors, whirl of activity, and novel acts try to provide the kind of sensory banquet that leaves us impressed. And, it works! We do not go to the circus to meditate and think deep thoughts about inner change, do we? We go to see the sights-  the high wire acrobats and the clowns tumbling – that give us a thrilling diversion from the tedium of everyday life.

Have you confused church with the circus? Are you content with loud music, novel presentations, and flashing lights; or, do you desire real worship, a place that encourages you to meet with God, the Spirit?

A spectacle will not change my heart or mind, but an encounter with the Living God will make us grow, changed into the likeness of Jesus. Paul prays for Christians to experience the Spirit Whose work 'is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:19-22, NIV) That power flows from deep inside of us, from holiness of heart, and deep intimacy with God.

I have no doubt that America is in a time of deep spiritual crisis! Materialism, sensuality, and unrestrained expression of Self-will define our culture.  Some Christians speak of the need for 'spiritual revival' which I, too, want to happen. However, if ‘revival’ is thought to come with grand productions featuring charismatic personalities drawing people into large gatherings, we are waiting on the wrong thing.  Spiritual awakening comes with an incredibly intimate, empowering experience of the Holy Spirit. Our desire must be for Jesus Christ, not a thrill of emotion.  Genuine spiritual renewal is much more akin to a growing garden than a political rally!  It is a quiet, persistent life experience, not a single crisis moment.

The Scripture warns us about a Christ-less religion. We read - "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:8-10, NIV)  

 Read it again, this time from The Message: “Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. ... They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

Friend, don't get taken in by the grand religion 'show,’ by smooth-talking preachers who do not focus on Christ Jesus. Pray for your pastor and your church to be genuinely desiring to know the fullness of Christ. If you feel manipulated, pushed, pulled, or overwhelmed by a 'ministry,' that feels more like a circus: RUN- don't walk- away! Find a place where the Spirit's voice is loved and allowed to be heard.

Mediate on this word from the Word. It is a powerful prayer for transformation. "I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NLT)  Amen

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Holy Spirit

 

There's nothing worth more that will ever come close

No thing can compare You're our living hope

Your Presence

 

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone

In Your Presence Lord

 

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

 

Your Presence Lord

 

Your Presence Lord

Your Presence

Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware of Your Presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)

 

Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt

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Spirit-led

Ever been lost, unsure of where you were and how to get to your destination? Me, too, but not in the last 15 years! A useful piece of technology exists in my phone that allows me to pinpoint my location anywhere in the world using the Global Positioning System.  If I am unsure of the best way to go, I just enter the information and within seconds a route is prepared.

Christian, God promises to guide us, that we can be secure in His direction, led by His hand.  Isaiah tells the people of the Lord that they can expect to “hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  (30:21)  Jesus told us that when “the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”  (John 16:13)  We need never feel lost, lack direction, or be fearful of the way ahead. Why? We never walk alone or without guidance.

The Scriptures are filled with examples of God’s guidance. A story from David’s life captured my attention as I read yesterday.  The young king was going to war and needed guidance. "Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” (2 Samuel 5:22-24, NIV)  Centuries earlier, as Israel journeyed to the Promised Land, God’s Presence was before them – as a pillar of fire by night, a cloudy pillar by day. In the New Testament, Paul was led by the Spirit - in prophetic words, dreams, and counsel.

Do you live with the expectation of God’s guidance?
Do you pray to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ on a daily basis?

You need not be a mystic or a preacher; you do not have to visit some special shrine to know His guidance.  The Spirit of God is present with us, faithfully providing His guidance if we are looking and listening for His voice.

How does He lead us?

There is the Holy Scripture!

We learn the truth, study the Word, and gain wisdom.  Paul reminded Timothy that in spite of his youth, he could be a good pastor because he had access to wisdom. He said that "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

There is the counsel of the Church!

Many Christians under value the long history of the Church, the studies of the wise, the lessons of success and failure, the balance that comes from tradition. But, God leads us with counsel! The poorest choices are made by those who are arrogant, believing that they are above the need of other’s wisdom or that they are somehow experiencing a life never lived by any person before them. What folly!  The best life for the Christian is lived with rich relationships in the Body of Christ, the church.  When we worship together, study together, and share our love for the Lord we find the guidance of the Spirit. "Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." (Colossians 3:16, NLT)

There is the voice of the Spirit!

Yes, I know this is highly subjective and can be abused.  More times than I can remember, Christians have said to me “the Lord told me …” before they went off to do their own thing!  Many have been quite sincere in their belief that God, the Spirit, was speaking to them, but they failed to include the Word and the Church in their plans, only to be misled by emotion or some false preacher. However, we are privileged to be people of the Spirit who can be led by Him.  I treasure those moments when I heard the whisper of the Spirit, responded with obedience, and discovered the joy of being right where He wanted me, at just the right moment.  I have known His wisdom in circumstances that defied my own understanding, experienced His quiet voice when my own life was turbulent, and found rich joy in the center of His will.

Do you want to know the guidance of the Spirit?
There are some key choices we make that allows Him to speak to us.

There is submission.  It is a fool’s choice to tell God our plans and demand that He bless them. Does submission frighten you?  Then I can tell you that you do not know the heart of the Father.  He is not capricious nor cruel. Does it sometimes appear that way? Yes, it does. We cannot understand the mysteries of life, the suffering, the disappointment.  But, if we want to be led by His hand, we must let God be God.

There is obedience.  Jesus plainly told us that ‘no one can serve two masters.’  If we attempt to live without prayer, trying to be master of our own universe, we become increasing insensitive to His Presence, deaf and blind to His leading. If we desire to know the ongoing security of being led, we must obey in the moment.

There is patience.  I know it sounds so clichéd to say that God’s time is not our time, but it is basic spiritual truth!  Those things that seem so urgent to us may be of little consequence to the One who is Eternal.  Do you live in reaction to your life or in response to the Spirit?  The question is basic to knowing His guidance.  He is not just solving the problems of this moment, He is shaping us for the purposes that span generations and into Eternity.  Let that sink in.

Here is the word from the Word. Ponder it. Meditate in it. And may His purposes become yours, for His glory. "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!" (Isaiah 55:9-12, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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All The Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me

What have I to ask beside

Can I doubt His tender mercy

Who through life has been my Guide

Heav'nly peace divinest comfort

Here by faith in Him to dwell

For I know whate'er befall me

Jesus doeth all things well

For I know whate'er befall me

Jesus doeth all things well

 

All the way my Savior leads me

Cheers each winding path I tread

Gives me grace for ev'ry trial

Feeds me with the living bread

Though my weary steps may falter

And my soul athirst may be

Gushing from the Rock before me

Lo a spring of joy I see

Gushing from the Rock before me

Lo a spring of joy I see

 

All the way my Savior leads me

O the fullness of His love

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's house above

When my spirit clothed immortal

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages

Jesus led me all the way

This my song through endless ages

Jesus led me all the way

Fanny Jane Crosby: Public Domain