When I sat down to write, immediately I heard, “Your will, or God’s will?” Well, all we believers say we want God’s will done in our lives, right? That’s what we say, anyway, but DO WE? Or would we rather just keep doing what we do and make ourselves feel good and CALL it God’s will?
How do we tell if God’s will is being carried out when we go to church, let’s say? I think we’d all agree, we need the fire of God in our churches, and yet, so much is done to quench the Holy Spirit of God, because we have our programs that we follow. So much so, that if you forgot your watch and don’t know what time it is, you can know to the minute by the particular event going on in the service.
So at 9a.m. it’s opening prayer, 9:01 through 9:09 the congregation will sing three songs. And then the offertory message at 9:10 through 9:30, we learn about the church’s financial needs that we should give to, building fund, tithes and offerings, missions fund, children’s church fund, Pastor appreciation fund, and the new carpet fund, did I miss anything? and then the blessing of the offering at 9:40 after ample time for everyone to give abundantly, seeing they want God to bless them.
And then after announcements, and maybe a short scripture reading at 9:45, comes the sermon until 10:30, after which church is dismissed after a final hymn and prayer at exactly 10:35. And again, God was late and didn’t show up for church. No matter, we didn’t make time in the program for Him anyway, right? And so it goes, week after week. And of course, on Wednesday night we pray for revival because that what churches always pray for.
Never mind the fact that there are actually some who come to church each week hoping to meet with God, and yet, go home just like they came in, sick, or discouraged, or puzzled what God would have them do with their life.
Just a couple nights ago the LORD had me studying in the book of Jeremiah, and I read from Chapter 1 through chapter 20. I was saddened how Israel repeatedly turned from God, and fell into idolatry after all God had done for them. It was like people were bent on straying away from God, even though they had the Law of Moses that told them how to live, they just wanted to do THEIR thing, not God’s. God was NOT happy with their prophets, nor the priests. God spoke against the shepherds that lived off of the sheep, instead of taking care of them, meaning like the pastors of today who only want to preach what makes people happy, so they bring MONEY.
I met one pastor a few years ago which has one of the largest churches in America, who can really make you feel good, but after you leave and come out of your stupor, you ask, Where was God in all that? I’ll tell you….He wasn’t there. Sorry.
Let’s go to Luke 12:42-52 for a moment.
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Who do you suppose that three against two might be? Could it be those who are hungry for a move of God in their church, versus those who are content to play church according to the schedule?
What if church was over at 10:35 and God showed up at 10:45? Well, He would show up at an empty church, that’s what, because nobody is waiting around for God, they have too many more important things on their agenda.
GOD, I’M CRYING OUT TO YOU HERE! PLEASE SHOW UP IN OUR CHURCHES AND CHANGE US! Give us preachers who aren’t afraid to preach Your uncompromised Word! Give us SHEPHERDS, and not HIRELINGS! Purge the goats from the sheep, LORD, and feed Your lambs, feed Your sheep, bind up the sick and weak and pour out the Holy Spirit upon us! TEACH US HOW TO BE DISCIPLES OF JESUS! Let the fire of God fill our hearts and souls so we cannot be tolerant of “playing church” anymore! LORD, form Jesus in every one of us, from the youngest to the oldest. Let praises ring out to You without regard to “what time it is”! Let the Holy Ghost FILL us to overflowing! REVIVE US!
So we might need to paint a dotted line on the walls of the church about five feet off the floor, with a sign saying, “Please do not run on the walls above the dotted line”, so what? If that’s what it takes to see a move of God in church, where the crippled up old people get up and shout and run for the joy of the LORD, where God can bring revival so strong, that there are not enough seats to seat everyone wanting in to hear the Word of God, then BRING IT LORD! We will put chairs in the parking lots, and outdoor speakers if needed. But LORD, we must have Your presence among us, PLEASE!
For without You, we are ……dead….lifeless, having no hope for now or the future. Kind of like …..church…(yawn)….sigh….
YOU MUST COME, LORD, WE’RE NOT LEAVING OR STOPPING WORSHIP TILL YOU SHOW UP AND BLESS US! We’ve had enough of OUR will. We want YOUR will!