Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Another beautiful morning in the Kingdom. Another late summer’s day to enjoy! Another day to enjoy the life that God has given to us…let us determine to make the most of it! Today I will be praying for you, asking the Father to empower you to fulfil the ‘plans He has for you’ – as you seize every opportunity that comes your way.
As I mentioned in my last ‘blog’ this coming”Sunday is “National Back To Church Sunday” and I had been wondering what it is we were inviting people “back to.” However, there is another perspective that, I believe, God wants us to consider…and that is, an invitation to God to “Come Back To Church.” I was reminded of a flag that flew from George Washington’s “secret navy” ships in 1776 that sported the image of an evergreen tree with the words – “An Appeal To Heaven” written across the flag. I have a belief that when I see the lawn signs across our city saying “Come Back To Church” they are making “An Appeal To Heaven” asking God to come to the church of 2015.
God drew my attention to two portions of Scripture that I believe He wants us to consider as we head towards this Sunday: Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 The Message …Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the free-loaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. Don’t suppress the Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 5:13b – 19 The Message.
I believe that God leaves the church when – “the Holy Spirit is grieved” with our behaviour…and when – “the Holy Spirit is quenched, suppressed, stifled” by our traditions and routines and expectations. God wants to come back to churches across our city, and He wants to do so with joy and liberty and power. The question I ask myself: Is He going to be welcome?
Something to ponder…enjoy the day He has given you!