Clutter fills our families today; they have no time for relationships, yet they have a deep desire for them. Sadly, families today succomb their lives to their demands and neglect the important necessities of life: connecting with God, their children, their spouse and their neighbors. What happened to small town America where relationships were a priority not a hassal; work was used to provide for the family not remove it and church was about spiritual growth not spiritual entertainment?
While we may expect this type of negative behavior when it comes to a world without God, sadly this harried lifestyle is seen more and more in our churches. Many have become over-programmed, intimately starved, and collaborately confused.
I often wonder what God would include in a letter to the American Church. What would the message to the church of the United States say? Would we be commended for our hard work, perseverance, and our refusal to tolerate false wicked teachers? Can we relate to forsaking our first love? Are we true to God's name? Do we mix with the synagogue of Satan? Does sexual immoratlity permeate our congregations and leadership? Are we asleep, comfortable, and soiled? Is commitment seen by our actions and our endurance? Are we lukewarm, good for nothing? Or are we refreshing or healing?
I believe that God would tell us that some are on the right track, but many are going after the god of success and business. Are we loving God or gods? Are we loving people or profit? Is church growth about salvation or resources?
Dear God of heaven and earth, You are the one who can turn the hearts of man and the direction of our steps. Forgive us, Lord, for making your church a robbers den instead of a house of prayer. Return our hearts to your vision and help us Lord to desire to be holy not harried. Open the gates, build up the highway, remove the stones of selfishness, and humble us so we can raise the banner and display Your Son to a lost world. Give us leadership that is dependent on You, Your power, Your Spirit and not their own. May Your Name no longer be disgraced because we have failed to give You the glory. In Jesus's Perfect Name, Name above all names, Amen.
While we may expect this type of negative behavior when it comes to a world without God, sadly this harried lifestyle is seen more and more in our churches. Many have become over-programmed, intimately starved, and collaborately confused.
I often wonder what God would include in a letter to the American Church. What would the message to the church of the United States say? Would we be commended for our hard work, perseverance, and our refusal to tolerate false wicked teachers? Can we relate to forsaking our first love? Are we true to God's name? Do we mix with the synagogue of Satan? Does sexual immoratlity permeate our congregations and leadership? Are we asleep, comfortable, and soiled? Is commitment seen by our actions and our endurance? Are we lukewarm, good for nothing? Or are we refreshing or healing?
I believe that God would tell us that some are on the right track, but many are going after the god of success and business. Are we loving God or gods? Are we loving people or profit? Is church growth about salvation or resources?
Dear God of heaven and earth, You are the one who can turn the hearts of man and the direction of our steps. Forgive us, Lord, for making your church a robbers den instead of a house of prayer. Return our hearts to your vision and help us Lord to desire to be holy not harried. Open the gates, build up the highway, remove the stones of selfishness, and humble us so we can raise the banner and display Your Son to a lost world. Give us leadership that is dependent on You, Your power, Your Spirit and not their own. May Your Name no longer be disgraced because we have failed to give You the glory. In Jesus's Perfect Name, Name above all names, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment