I have felt an absence of God and sometimes the anger of God in many churches across numerous denominations over the last year or so… churches that are all about being dressed right, sitting right, looking presentable to others, traditions, formalities, sanctuary decorations, the praise team, a big show, Hail Mary’s, committees, tithing, memberships, legalities, paperwork, etc. God is NOT HAPPY with many churches today, and the weight of his anger presses heavy upon my spirit. There isn’t a kinder or more effective way to say it, so today I will step out in faith, knowing that some will take offense, to be obedient and spread the word before it’s too late.
Who do you say you are?
Are you a Catholic? Or are you a Child of God?
Are you a Deacon? Or are you a Child of God?
Are you a Lutheran? Or are you a Child of God?
Are you a Baptist? Or are you a Child of God?
Fill in your title or denomination, and you can see where I’m going with this…
If you’re a child of God, are you modeling yourself on being like him? How well do you know the character of God and what he aligns with? Do the things in your life align with something that God would be pleased with?
When you think of God as your Father, do you think of a father who loves his children? Do you welcome his discipline, knowing that he wants the best for you? Do you feel like you can turn to him when you’re in need? If he showed up at your church, would he feel worshiped and adored or would he be angry that he’s been relegated to a narrow section of the church bulletin?
How well do you know Jesus? Do you love with the fullness of his love? Do you prioritize spending time with Jesus? Are you growing in intimacy with him, or are you spending time with him out of obligation? Do you truly believe that Jesus can transform lives? Does your church celebrate Jesus’s life and resurrection? Is he alive in your church, or is he merely a statue or picture on the wall?
How well do you know Holy Spirit? Do you feel his comforting presence in your body? Do you turn to him to teach you through the Scriptures? Do you realize the amazing asset that you have in bringing him into your prayer and worship life? Does your church encourage worshiping in the spirit as the Bible instructs?
Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near. – Revelation 1:3 AMP
‘I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent. – Revelation 2:2-5 AMP
Have you lost the depth of love that you first had for Jesus? Do you remember the heights from which you have fallen? Imagine if your next encounter with God was being visited by him, only to have him remove your church, your impact, your lampstand from its place. Seek God’s will today and every day, because we are never guaranteed tomorrow.
God is NOT pleased that we have organized our churches to be a government of their own making, because he has been removed from the hierarchy and replaced by programs, committees, titles, wolves in sheep’s clothing in positions of church leadership, cultural biases dictating teachings that go against the Bible, and closed systems that are not showing love for the communities around them but rather only for those who are in that congregation.
Can I get an AMEN? And then, can I get you to pray this prayer? “Lord, I’m sorry that I have gotten so far off the path that you set me on. Show me how to live in intimacy with you as you remind me that you’re not a God of obligation, you’re a God of willingness. You’re not a God of striving to do all things ourselves, you’re a God of yielding to the works you have for us. Restructure my life and my heart with love for you as my #1 focus, and wrap me in your peace, joy and love. AMEN.”