11/16/2024
Our devotional reading today regarding quantity vs quality membership in churches is one that really strikes home. I have had this conversation with pastors, and others In the church many times before, and have even had a prophetic dream regarding it. Isaiah is quite right when he says that those who should see... often do not.
“Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.”
Isaiah 42:18-20 KJV
We want to gather souls to God and sometimes we do this at a cost which is more than simply unacceptable. We blind ourselves to what is happening within our own churches. Boy, this is a tough lesson. Is it too bitter a pill for many churches to swallow? Has this disease already consumed the body? Has the Church succumbed to this disease? I pray not.
I watch as our churches and denominations abandon their boundary stones in an attempt to increase membership, and grow in wealth or power. In the quest for numbers, and growth for the sake of money or status, they are giving up the very reason for their establishment... church is not a country club, and worship is not a weekly dance.
“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.”
Proverbs 23:10-11 KJV
It is true that there should always be new souls entering the church who are seeking Jesus, and looking to form a more perfect life with God, but the church should be teaching and guiding them in completing their journey... not changing the destination so that more might arrive at a place that means little; thinking they are home.
“Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.””
Jeremiah 15:19 ESV
One Sunday there was an incredible spirit in the service I was attending at my church... It had little to do with the message and actually started before the Pastor uttered the first word of his sermon. Perhaps it was in response to what was happening in the world at that time, but regardless, God poured out his Holy Spirit on the congregation, and it was wonderful.
As I drove home afterwards I thought back to a time when such an outpouring was the norm and not an exception. Then I thanked God for His presence and prayed that those doubters who were in attendance had witnessed the power of God, and had experienced what it felt like, and how completely the Holy Spirit could change the church, and every life that it was comprised of ... and how it could change them in an instant.
How is the church we are attending coping with the pressures being placed upon it by the world? Are we able to resist the allure of change? Are we accepting sin and calling it righteousness to increase our attendance and financial position? Are we living the abomination that is a lie and convincing ourselves that God has suddenly reestablished what is right and what is wrong? Have our church leaders compromised their faith, and are they now leading us blindly towards damnation? I pray this is not the case, and that the cornerstone and foundation of the Church has not been turned away from the truth. Let’s turn back to God just as man has done before…
“12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Joel 2:12-17 ESV
Prayer:
Thank you Father for breathing your Holy Spirit upon us, and for the sound of rushing wind, and our acceptance of spiritual quickening, that comes as a result. Father, reestablish your boundary stones of faith, and reorient your Church so that it faces you alone. Let your cornerstone be restored as its foundation so that your church might gaze upon your glory day and night foe all eternity. Lord, keep the doors of your temple open always to those who seek you, and guide your saints as they enter into it, instructing those who are babies and novices, in proper prayer, and the knowledge of your Word. Father God, lead us back to you in a powerful way and let your Holy Spirit fill us, and permeate our surroundings, as we travel your way with the cross of Jesus resting firmly on our shoulders. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Holy are you who is unchanging, and who doesn’t conform Himself to the world, but demands that the world conform itself to you. Have mercy on us Father, and open our hearts and eyes to who we should be in you, and Jesus. Redirect our priorities and reorient the direction of our churches, so that we are walking in obedience to your Word, living within your will, and truthfully calling ourselves your church once more. Pour out your grace on us through your Son Jesus so that we can kneel before you, prostrate ourselves in contrition, and pray for your forgiveness. Separate sin from us and hear us say with assurance and power “I BELIEVE in Jesus Christ the Son of Yahweh who is my one true and unchanging God!” and in so doing please you, love you, and walk with you through all eternity.
Father, Forgive us, bless us, and love us, as your children… Amen. And Amen!
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 ESV
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
““For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.””
Malachi 3:6 ESV
Rich Forbes