A Challenge to my Church Family! Yes you Can!! Do Not Be Afraid!!

There are so many churches every where. On every corner. All offering an incredible array of "churchy" delicacies to the unsuspecting wanderer  inner. Each having their very own "flavor" (if you will) proudly,(but not of course as that would be sinful in God's eyes) proclaiming theirs is theologically correct on all counts and by this measure should be the sole reason you should continue attendance. ARRRRGH!

I am quite certain my response to my fabricated first paragraph is pretty darn close to the Lord's response to many of the churches around these days. Sadly enough.

Why? Why do I say that? Learned it first hand. Just too much politics and not enough Jesus. Plane and simple.

Would someone please tell me why there seems to be such a great fear of getting close to God?
Such a fear of letting go and surrendering self to our creator?
Why we seemingly have to have so very much order in church services that there is no room left for the super-natural move of God's Holy Spirit?

Why are we so afraid? Why have we let fear take hold of us? Take hold of our minds, our hearts and yes even in some instances our walks with God?

Seriously.....this has gotten me so stirred up deep within my spirit.

When one can't find a body of believers within 50 mile radius that consistently meets the ACTS Church criteria (all areas evenly); while there are literally hundreds of churches within that perimeter...there is seriously something wrong!
Wouldn't you agree?

Oh, I am not saying we as a body of Christ aren't "trying"  or "striving"  to "become" the fellowship of believes outlined in the book of ACTS. However my point is...Why aren't we already? Why is it so hard for us to become one? What are we afraid of ?

Let's take a look at our nature lives for a minute. Our non-church lives. I'd like to use them to make a point or two.
It doesn't really matter what season it is, Summer, Winter, Autumn or Spring, it seems life affords us many opportunities to overcome fear. Daily challenges causing us to stretch our comfort zone.  This all in out daily living routine. Then there is the added recreational facet some of us enjoy such as sky diving, skiing, mountain climbling, high diving, motorcycling, racing, going on a safari. Perhaps you are someone who is just stepping out for the first time in an area of your life....a new job.... buying a home....it could be a plethora of different activities. ...It could even be taking the risk of loving someone. So many different things we do in life, frighting as they may be. We don't hesitate. In fact some of us feed off of the excitement and unknown facet of it all; and others need a little encouragement but still will take the risk to say they did something fun and exciting for the enjoyment of spending time with family and friends. After all, "What's living if you don't live? Right?"... I believe that is the way it goes.

So we "jump in" -  into the lake - or - out of the plane - "ski dive" (for the first time...end up breaking a leg) or jumping head long in love with a total stranger. Not a problem, well maybe, but it's okay because, "that's life." and "life isn't life unless you're living it!"


Well that's our life in the natural - let's get back to our Church life - or at least how we are looking at it anyway.

So I don't know about you, but I was lost and now I'm found. Was blind and now I see!٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫•
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.
٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫•
Okay, I know that I have been saved, blood bought, redeemed and made whole by the precious blood of the Lamb of God! When I meet up with any.....and I do mean ANY body of believers, all I want to do is shout! ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫• And Praise ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫And Sing ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫And Dance ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫And Give Glory to my Messiah! ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫•

So, why are we still sitting in our pews, our benches, our soft comfy still not paid for auditorium chairs, with our arms folded tightly across our chest, noses in the air refusing to get wet, when by the all incredible Grace of God we are visited by Ruach Hako'desh (the third party of the God head - Holy Spirit himself) ?
٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫•

What an all incredible gift! to have Holy Spirit among us! To be invited to worship the Lord our God in dance and Song! It seems though that we are forever so concerned only with getting through our "songs" and then the next 30- 45 minutes and out in time  that we will never know what we may have missed if would have taken time to "wait on the Lord". :(

But then.....that would mean.....venturing into the realm of the unknown. Taking a step of faith and for some a leap of faith. (that's okay. really. Jesus planned it all out)

THEN, there are those bodies of believers....fellowships, that have the worship dan pat! Yes sir diggidy! We are talking the worship will melt you blues away and have you ushered into the heavinlies in 5 minutes flat!  ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶♫♪♪♫•They will keep there for about an hour as well.

But then one leaves with no meat to last  and has to ask, "Where's the Teaching???? Exhortation? Preaching of the Word?"

So I suppose you are wondering about the title of the post at this point.....(if you are still here)...thus the question to follow.
 "Are you in the same place naturally, physically,or spiritually as you were last year?....the year before? If so...why?"

Although God does not change. He is a constant (thankfully) he is the same yesterday- today and forever. He is all about changing US. From lost - to found. From glory to glory. Into the perfected image of his Son Jesus.

This post is not about judging anyone.

I can hear it now...all the clamoring. I am just glad you are reading this. I have always been used as one to speak it forth. A "faith challenger", if you will. :)

The Lord left us a parting gift. Holy Spirit. When we first accept this most amazingly, beautiful gift and learn to embrace Holy Spirit and walk with and understand Holy Spirit - our life with God becomes something more than we even knew it could be. Our walk with Jesus stronger in ways we need  it (and others) need it to be. And healing births from the inside out and produces fruit in our lives that not only is evident to us but to the unseen future world of those that God has for us to minister to.

The seasons are changing. No matter what you believe in life I think you would probably agree with me on that one.

It's time.
Time to take your life to the next level. Time to take the next step. The next step will be different for everyone.
It may be your very first step....of faith...to Jesus.  It's okay, He's waiting for you.

Maybe it's a step IN faith ...for Jesus...it's okay Jesus believes in you.

Perhaps a step of faith is required WITH HIM....He is there waiting for you.

IN faith....TO Jesus IN Jesus....TO Holy Spirit IN Holy Spirit.

No matter what it is....you are not alone.....and you CAN. Yes you can.

What is impossible for you is possible with God (Matthew 19:26)

So go ahead ....take that step of faith....see where it leads...you won't be disappointed.