The Presence Of God - Part One
Good Morning, I pray that you will be blessed in Christ and experience victory today and every day. You are not ordinary because you have been born from above. You are His child and that means you are more than an overcomer through Jesus!
Were you aware that you can gather a crowd by simply offering them what they imagine is worth their time? In a consumeristic society, people are drawn to what is up to date with cultural trends and exciting.
If a church seeks to grow by keeping up with what is most popular to attract people outside it, then all it takes for those attracted to go elsewhere, is another church offering the same things with a little more polish, or a few more bells and whistles.
When a church loses sight of the incomparable presence of God, it wears its families out trying produce things to attract and keep people. It is unaware that it is trying to make up for what only the glory and presence of God can offer. When the Holy Spirit is expected to take a backseat in the gatherings, and behave Himself based on what people are most comfortable with, the value of the presence of God has been diminished or lost. Should it ever be okay to not rely on the presence of God in the person of the Holy Spirit?
How does the church reach the place where the presence of God has lost its value and the Holy Spirit is only expected to bless whatever the people want, instead of the people desiring what the Holy Spirit wants?
This happens to churches when the people no longer think the gospel is important and begin to want messages about what they themselves can do. When preaching the splendor and worth of Jesus Christ falls out of popularity, it is a danger sign. When gazing upon the crucified, resurrected, ascended and glorified Jesus who did all that was necessary to secure righteousness and deliver from the power of sin and death is no longer exciting, it is a sign that unbelief and an unhealthy reliance upon self is setting in. The natural ability to improve and be better is a bad incentive. Such people can’t see the need for the manifest presence of God.
When the Holy Spirit is getting His way, He is magnifying Jesus and offering an opportunity to experience real victory and deliverance from sin by believing the truth concerning Jesus. The Holy Spirit knows it is Jesus who has everything that pertains to life and godliness and He is always directing you to look to Jesus.
A church led by the Holy Spirit isn’t caught up in all the things that people who are not passionate for Christ say they need in order to be kept on board the ship. A true Spirit led church is content with the presence of God. They know that the fire of the Spirit magnifies Jesus Christ and transforms lives. They know that the world, the false church, or any of the religious systems will never be able to offer the wonderful presence of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. They also know that those truly drawn by the Holy Spirit will recognize God’s presence and will be most satisfied with it.
That is why we should not be worried about putting on a show. We should not be concerned with bells and whistles how to naturally excite people. We should not be looking to offer a more entertaining experience than all the other churches. We should want to commune with the One who has won our hearts. We are only concerned with what the Holy Spirit says is vital for us, and should characterize the bride of Christ. So we should be committed to getting the gospel right. Then focus on getting the gospel in, and then getting it out to the world. We desire to walk in the authority His bride, the church, has been given.
A real church is filled with people who have a passion for Jesus that embraces all that He offers. God’s people should want to live according to the culture of His kingdom. You see, Passion is not just about moments of excitement where everyone is being demonstrative. True passion is a consist walk with Jesus, believing in Him, and experiencing His presence.
Always remember that you are loved with an everlasting love by a faithful God who cannot lie and you have everything you need in Christ. Go and enjoy the adventure that is yours when you live submitted to the Holy Spirit each day!
