Winter in Florida is over for Bernadine and I, back in Michigan just in time for a spring snow and below freezing temperature.
Time to set and think about the things that stir your soul. One thing I seem to struggle with is the church in America, were is it going, and can I help to bring it to were I would have it to go. No not where I would have go, but where God wants it to be.
God could change it in and instant, but He will wait for man to come willingly of his own accord seeking God’s will for him.
Some churches put much into membership, I talked with a fellow last week who said the church he was a member of had a membership of seven hundred and some members and attendance of one hundred eighty to two hundred on a good Sunday.
Do you suppose the five hundred members who do not attend, with the exception of some who make it to a Christmas or Easter service really believe that its alright to belong but not participate?
The large churches that are called mega church draw people of all ages, You can get lost in the crowd and come and go as they please.
Studies show that the smaller church (eighty to one hundred fifty) produce more people to the ministry, both missions and pastors and others.
Its not really the size of church but what the content of what goes on in and trough the individual church that matters.
Jesus said that where two or three are together in my name I will be there.
My question is,
if Jesus Christ is not there is it church?
Jesus also said I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except
though me.
Another thing I see is that most people go to church to receive something from it.
But when we look at the old testament, we see men bringing an offering of different sacrifices to God. It started at home where the scripture was implanted into the children , also how important to go and offer sacrifices, that the Temple was holy because God lived there. Today the spirit of God lives in man.
Today people believe they should receive from the church before they give back.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if when Christians came together, they came in Jesus name.
Serving instead of wanting to be served
Its time we quiet putting band-aids on the wounded and hurting.
Everyone of us can be a real help by greeting people and asking, “HOW MAY I HELP YOU.”
Should not the church be a place where people that come together are greeted with, “How may we help you” being a real caring servant of the Lord, Jesus was constantly striving to meet the needs of the people, we are a part of the body. Let us use the part we are to help in leading each one to a deeper holy life in Christ Jesus.
Not what can you do for me. “How may I help you today.”
Sometimes all we need to do is walk across the room and make someone’s day.
Give an ear to listen, but keep what you hear to yourself and God..
It is so rewarding to see people come to the Lord and not be ashamed of Jesus Christ.
I’m not an expert on church growth or anything else as far as that goes, but my mind keeps going back to Jesus asking Peter “do you love me? Then feed my sheep.
Three times he asked Peter do you love me, then feed my sheep.
Why do sheep go to other pastures? Perhaps they are looking for better food.
So feed the sheep. Keep them feeding on God’s word.
Sheep produce other sheep.
Soon the sheep pen will be full to over flowing with healthy sheep.
Thrusday Morning. This helps tocompletewhat I had started yesterday
This morning as I read God's word it confirmed what I had said in the above post.
Reading from the Message.
Once again God through His word confirmed the ending How may I help?
Listen to what Paul says in Romans 15.
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"
That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory.
Let me say AMEN or as the Message puts it “Oh Yes”
If each one will step in and do there part the church will truly become the church of Christ.
