Walking into the vast majority of churches today is akin to walking into a tomb. Sure, the socializing and the lattes may be great but where is the power? Why are people walking away from churchianity in record numbers? No Holy Spirit, no power. What am I talking about?
1 Thess 1:5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
What we need is the presence and power of God. We are a needy people. When people's needs are not met in the church, they go elsewhere to try to meet their needs. When the presence and power of the Lord Holy Spirit is there, one not search anywhere else to find what they are looking for.
One might ask, presence and power huh? I wonder if we have that in our church and I just haven't noticed? If you haven't noticed, it isn't there....It has been this brother's experience of the Lord our God that His presence and power are overwhelming. You absolutely positively do not have to wonder. Its like wondering whether or not there is an 800 pound gorilla in the middle of the room, its obvious if it is there or it is not.
Why would we 'go to church' if we are the church? Why would we go to a building to meet the Lord when the Lord is not there?
Romans 8:14
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God
This is less a beat down on churchianity today (that has already been well established here) and more of an encouragement to walk with our God. The time for half measures is over, as is the time for playing church. We need the real presence and power of our God right now today. We must be desperate for it. The brother who writes this to you has seen the Lord move heaven and earth, and yet this brother finds himself more desperate for the Lord's presence and power than ever.
One would think seeing multiple miracles would satisfy the soul to the point where one could relax. Not so. When a person has experienced the Lord's presence and power it becomes blatantly obvious where the presence and power are not....
Heb 6 1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit. 4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
The Lord speaks of these things here ^^. Tasted of the heavenly gift? Tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come? This sounds to me like a whole lot more than your vanilla flavored run of the mill churchianity.
Get to the point brother D. Okay, the point is, we must be those who have been enlightened. We must be the ones who have tasted of the heavenly gift, made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
This brother writes to you today along the same lines that we should be a people who walks and talks with our God 24/7 365, moment by moment as obedient children. Not only does this please our Lord but it provides for our needs. The days are quickly coming when all fakery and imitation and playing church will come to an end. The only thing that will stand is what is real.
| Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, |
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Who among us believes we are not in the latter times? At this time, on this day we must be a people who walks with their God.
| ... Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. |
Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Let us be like Enoch and Noah in a crooked and perverse generation. Let us be a people that walks with their God.
grace and peace
