Did You Grow Up in the Church? Part 2

We are living in some serious times. There is much spiritual warfare about us. The world is not going to get better. But there is a better way to live daily. Jesus lived an exemplary life. He was and is the epitome of what life is all about. It is because of Jesus we have a direct way back to the Father. When He died the veil of the temple was torn in two. The purpose of the veil was to separate the section of the Temple where only the priest were allowed. We can thank Jesus because; we now can go directly to God. His Word can cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Did you know that Jesus was God’s Word wrapped in flesh? Jesus came as a living testimonial to the world and the family of God; which is His Church.

Did you know that the Church is actually Christ’s Bride? Do you know how important faithfulness is to a bride? Think about that; that is really heavy! God not only wants us to be faithful to our spouses but to Him. Jesus came to let us know that the principles in God’s Word are true. Did you know that God wants what is best for us? Did you know that God even disciplines us because He loves us so much? He even allows persecution so we can move on to further allow His will to be done in our life. Did you grow up in the Church but the Church did not grow up in you?

God does not have a list of rules and regulations. Yet, you are considered to be “in the know, if you acknowledge everyone in a hierarchal manner before you speak. You are even commended for knowing protocol. If you don’t walk while someone’s talking you are respectful. But these are not really rules are they? Think about it? If you are walking you really must need to go somewhere? Are not the doors of God’s Church always open? These are just a few things to think about. Oh! These again are not rules; it just shows you know how to do what? “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty”. But God tells us not to use that as a cloak for maliciousness.

Did you know that God intended for His Church to be a “Lighthouse.” A place where we can worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. A place where darkness should not prevail. God is also a God of order. Yes, we should be respectful of our place of worship. But some things are just not necessary. If you were raised in Church, but the Church is not in you the truth really does not matter. It is easier to just do whatever is expected. This assures you that you can participate in any way. You can even opt to fill any position you desire. Nowadays some of everything goes on during worship. Many dance, sing and lay on hands to the glory of man. They often seek a momentary emotional experience. Week after week they come to the altar but go home to confusion. This is okay because your heart is considered okay, you have passed inspection. All you have to do is put in your request. After all you are related to or in the inner circle. You have a blanket excuse for any and every past or present behavior because you obey without question. You are unconditionally loved? Or are you really? You also give God honor, praise and thank him for giving you the opportunity to stand before all. Yet they can already see you are standing up. But do you really have inner Peace?

If you really want to stand for something; stand up for what is right.” In actuality protocol to you really means you know who to call in order of importance? Now who is the respecter of persons? What’s really important is that we call on Jesus and create and environment where His presence is truly welcomed. Yes, I am being a little sarcastic. But not to be facetious. What is your point? I merely want all of us to think about why we do or do not do some of the things we do. Many of the ways of world has nested themselves into many worship services. No disrespect intended a lot of things just are not necessary.

For example who thought of the five minute fellowship? Think? Where did this originate? Who gives a person the authority to tell you what to do and when. Especially if the only time they speak to you is within those five minutes? Go figure! We have the freedom to not conform to every trend or doctrine. I have seen many trends come and go. OH! “But we are doing a new thing?” “NOTHING IS NEW UNDER THE SUN”

God has said that He would write His law in our hearts. As you diligently study God’s Word He will really deliver you! He will free you from a lot of stuff that just does not make sense. God has so many wonderful things in store for us. He also gives us the freedom to choose. Have you ever seen the movie “Groundhog Day?” It is a humorous little movie where this guy wakes up at the same time everyday and the same thing happens over and over. He knew how each person would respond. He knew each day exactly what to expect. After a while he realizes that some things really need to change. Did you know that God really can change you? Did you know He really does have a better way for you to live? Ask yourself honestly have you grown up in the Church but the Church did not grow up in you? God really and truly can deliver you!

There really is a difference between being in the Church and the Church being in you? When the Church is in you the Holy Spirit becomes the governor of your soul. You live in the world, you are to be law abiding citizen but you realize it is in GOD you LIVE and MOVE and have your being. You are convicted when wrong. You do not desire to be right just for the sake of being right. This is not some unrealistic, legalistic, rigid, mythical, unattainable, cultist way of being. (You are often encouraged to go along when there is a cultist mentality for the sake of being accepted by the group or groups.) Remember; “Jim Jones?” You realize how vitally important it is to live your life before the Lord. You know without a doubt that God is your Heavenly Father.

The devil his imps and no one or nobody can do anything to pluck you out God’s hands, once you truly believe that you truly belong to God and Jesus is your Lord and Savior! You have been adopted into His family and you know that you know that you know without doubting you are His child! You know what His Word says about being double minded? Wait I must caution you! You must be aware that you will be thought of as negative, strange and or self righteous by those who really do not know or understand you. They will even put you through their heart test. But, those who really know you know that you have been raised in the Church and the Church is in you. Go pluck some spiritual fruit and “pig out” in a good way on the WORD of GOD. Especially try some of His good ole patience. Don’t go there; this not some egotistical, arrogant or prideful statement.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead You. Pray and Meditate on GOD’S WORD before you enter into worship. Sincerely ask Him to open your spiritual eyes. Take time to observe what is happening around you. What happens before, during and after worship. “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING” during and after worship. Make sure regardless of what everyone else is doing that you take some time throughout worship & “BE STILL & KNOW!” KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON CHRIST JESUS!

See Part 3

Do You Know How To Determine if Something is From God or Man?

Do you know how to determine if something is from God or man? Sometimes it is very hard to tell the difference. This is why it is important to know God’s Word. To know where you are in your very own personal relationship with God? To know what your intentions are. To know what God will do in your behalf when you truly allow Him His place in your life. To know that you are walking in accordance with His will. In today’s time it is absolutely crucial. The Bible says a fool ignores God’s wisdom and instead prefers to follow the crowd. Who would rather believe and prove something that is not true. Did you know that when you accept a lie as truth you have been deceived? Knowledge just gives you the facts. Wisdom tells you how to apply the facts within their proper context. Wisdom helps you to have discipline and develop healthy boundaries. Knowing the Truth of God’s Word will help you to navigate through this world’s plethora of folly. We must sincerely pray and ask God to “Give us today our daily bread.” It is very important to seek God’s direction daily. It is equally important to be willing to relinquish your own direction when He shows you this is indeed the case. God has promised that He will direct our paths when we earnestly seek Him. God is a Spirit of Light. His Word will truly be a “Lamp unto your feet and a Light unto your path.”

God’s Word is full of wisdom. The book of Proverbs is considered the book of wisdom in the Old Testament. The book of James is considered as the book of wisdom in the New Testament. Proverbs is one of the most down to earth books there is. It tells you how to gain wisdom, discipline and become prudent. It gives you advice on how to raise your family. It warns against the dangers of debt. It talks about the dangers of drinking. How important it is to eat properly; it even tells you who not to eat with. It speaks quite often against immorality. It shuns evil, lying, slander, entrapment and deception. It even talks about visiting your neighbor too much. It also warns against joining cliques, gangs or cults. It also describes the plethora of benefits that are available to you when you apply the Word of God to your life. These are just a few of the many topics of discussion. It also tells you that fools live independently from God. The dominant theme in Proverbs is to encourage one to seek wisdom. Not just any old wisdom but Godly Wisdom. It actually says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Do you know when something is of God or man?”

Fearing the Lord is a crucial prerequisite in obtaining His wisdom. Just ask yourself do you really fear God? Or do you seek to please others? How would you feel if He were to pass judgment today? God tells us to seek His wisdom as though you were looking for a hidden treasure. “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” Did you know that understanding comes from God? If you truly fear the Lord there are some things that you will just not do or say. He actually tells us that, “discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.” God also tells us to shun evil. To shun means to turn away from. Some people will do whatever it takes to get their way. They will also enlist others to help them. But is your way the Lord’s way? This is why it is so very important to ask yourself is God pleased with what you have said or done? Then to “be still and know.” A Godly conscious surrenders to God’s way. Your desire is then to sincerely repent. If you are truly a person of faith you know that God’s power is always accessible. God will never direct you to do anything that goes against His principles. God is also a just God. In His time He will surely vindicate you. The wonderful thing about God is that He alone is Sovereign. Do you know when something is of God or man?

There is a lot of discontentment and unhappiness in the world. Many times people have short term memory, they do not want to remember what they have said or done. Or they have selective memory and want to remember only what they want to remember. They often choose to do something that goes against God’s will for them in order to satisfy a desire they have. Their conscious becomes seared. Or they just prefer to blame someone else for their unhappiness. Although you know that they were unhappy long before you even came on the scene. When things do not turn out the way they want. They often do not want to take responsibility for what they have done or admit honestly what has really happened. It is hard for them to go through the consequences. In many cases this leads to depression. When you have swept so much hurt under the rug life becomes dusted with hurt. This unresolved hurt often causes them to project that hurt somewhere. Rather than simply apologize or admit they were wrong. They choose to live in denial. To instead fragment what has really happened in order to appear right. Denial is unhealthy it causes you to suppress the truth.

The enemy wants you to believe lies because they keep you in bondage to sin. Sin is anything that separates you from God. The enemy is satan he is such a deceiver he wants you to seek the approval of man over God. Lies hinder your emotional and spiritual growth. God is a Spirit of Truth! Know that God is the only one that truly loves anyone unconditionally. God tells us in II Thessalonians; “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth to be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed truth but have delighted in wickedness.” God knows everything that has transpired. He knows why, when, how, who and what will be. This is why it is so important to really know where you are in your personal relationship with Him. This is also why God tells us to guard our hearts and shun evil. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have. God’s weapon are not carnal. This is why He says “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is not always audible. Nor is it always in silence. God is just. One thousand years to us is but one day to Him. In His time “He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.” God can and will take care of you in any and all situations. It is in situations that look impossible HE GETS THE GLORY! This is why it is so very important to seek God’s direction. James says if you lack wisdom? Ask God.

You can not properly renew your mind apart from God. You can not have true emotional and spiritual health without God. Inner peace comes from doing things God’s way. James tells us that whenever you are tempted it is not of God. God never tempts us to do anything? Always know it is the witness of God that matters most! He sees and knows everything! When you look through the spiritual lenses of God’s Word things always look differently. Do you really want to experience the peace of God? Have you really committed to God’s way? Or do you seek to justify your own way? “God is an ever present help in times of trouble.” His Light will dispel any darkness. He can and will use any one and anything as an instrument if He so desires. You must know that God specializes in the impossible. It is in God’s eyes what always matters most! “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practice deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord.” Can you tell if something is of God or of man?

You must know in your heart of hearts that God is the ultimate Father. His Word tells us that “He will be a Father to the fatherless.” It tells us that “sound judgment and discernment will preserve you.” This does not mean that unfavorable things will not happen. Preserve means to conserve, safeguard or protect. Studying God’s Word daily is just as important as eating. God’s Word is food for your soul. Yet, most important we must learn to actually apply His Word to our lives daily. That’s wisdom! God is so good! I am so glad to be a child and friend of God. Hallelujah! I Peter tells us, “Dear friends do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal or even as a meddler. However if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. But praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the out come be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will be become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

Read “Contending For The Faith“.