What Would Your Local Church Say About You?

I routinely hear so many people complaining about their local churches.  While some are clearly out of order, God always has a remnant!  There are many local assemblies and fellowships that still carry the heart of God and demonstrate the fruit thereof.

That being said, here's a thought to ponder...

If your local church or assembly were your significant other or best friend, how would they feel?  Are you faithful?  Are you present?  Do you give the best of yourself?  Do you help "around the house?"  Do you expect them to give to you without you giving in return?  Do you communicate well with them?  Do you "disappear" without notice?  Do you talk negatively about them when they're not around?  Do you show up late for every date or appointment?  Do you negate everything they say?

Selah.   Really think about it...

A local church is only as good as its disciples.  If you are not a faithful and accountable disciple, YOU make your place of fellowship less then optimal.

AMEN.

Decent and in Order

1 Corinthians 14:40

"Let all things be done decently and in order."

Order is necessary. Jesus didn't do anything He wanted to do, nor did He say anything He wanted to say (John 5:30). Yet, so many of us feel that our gifts or tenure in the church somehow qualify us to do as we please. Not so! This walk is not about us. It's a walk of humility... one that must bring glory to the Father.

Obedience is required! Order is necessary! Discipline and self-control must be employed. The flesh must die. The time will come, if it hasn't already, that all of us must do things we don't desire to do for God. Still, right is right. One who doesn't have the discipline to obey God's word and be accountable to His people simply doesn't belong to Him. No more excuses! Holiness is impossible without order!

ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

God bless America!

You may call me crazy, but I still stand for and support this flag of the United States of America.  This flag represents “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  I thank God for what it stands for and honor the men and women who continue to fight for the same.  While this nation’s government has made decisions that are undoubtedly unpleasing to God, even this is not new.

Yes, this country was established by murder, bullying and deceit as Native Americans were driven out of the land.  It was built upon slavery and propaganda.  This is the nation that killed thousands because of their skin color and cheated millions because they were born on the wrong side of the ocean.  This is the country that allows the murder of millions of unborn babies every year, and a country where the same justice system that promises to protect the victim often justifies their demise.

Even with all that, I STILL LOVE MY COUNTRY.  In the midst of all the turmoil, GOD IS STILL BLESSING AMERICA.  After all, this is also a nation where I can be treated fairly, even as an African-American woman.  I can worship freely and am not forced to do anything against my spiritual beliefs, as I’ve chosen not to be bound by 501c3.  There it is again – CHOICE that can only be found in America.  I can disagree with the government or anyone else without fear of retaliation.  My children receive an education and my church family can freely gather without anticipation of arrest.  We can order Bibles and ship them anywhere in the country.  I'm able to publish books, and even this blog, without censorship.  I can enjoy my husband without wondering when he’ll be forced to take another wife or beat me for having an opinion.  And when these things are threatened, I can say with surety that it's the exception, not the rule.  I could go on and on and on…

As a disciple of Christ, I’m certainly not in agreement with everything the country has done through the years, but there’s no other place I’d rather be.  In fact, I know this is where GOD PLANTED ME.  With that, I am committed to praying for this country.  I’m committed to standing for what is right.  Thousands fight daily with guns and swords to protect even that liberty – the ability to fight.  I can’t give up and just let the enemy win.  It’s not over yet, so I will fight in the spirit realm.  We, in the church, talk so much about what is to come... how bad things are going to get.   That's fine, but what are we doing now to keep these liberties safe?  I believe this country is worth defending.  I believe it's worth fighting for.

Am I disappointed with the recent Supreme Court ruling?  Of course, and this isn't the first time.  Yet, I’m not perplexed, confused or afraid.  THIS IS NOTHING NEW.  God always has a remnant, and that remnant has a job to do.  Did not the children of Israel see the same?  Yet, God has been faithful, throughout history, to raise priests with a voice to triumph over evil.  Our first job is to know the word of God and see in the spirit.  We need to understand that the government is not the Church of Jesus Christ.  Satan is the prince of this world and its kingdoms, so we are not surprised or caught off guard when the world does what it should do.  I am an ambassador, so I play be different rules… the rules established in the Kingdom of God.

Of course, I care about this world and especially this country.  I live here.  My children live here.  My family and friends call this place home.  And for that reason, I won’t give up.  I can’t give up.  I don’t support burning flags or talking down about the place that still affords me the freedom to PREACH THE TRUTH that it, as a government, cannot uphold.  Even in that, I’m not angry, because that’s not the government’s job.  It’s mine with the power of the Holy Ghost, and I intend to do it.

I don’t always agree with my children, but I support and pray for them, because I’m ordained and appointed to their lives.  I love them.  In a similar fashion, until Jesus returns, I’m ordained and appointed to THIS COUNTRY.  I love the USA.  I won’t complain.  Instead, I will vow to demonstrate the right way of living.  I will show and demonstrate the true love of God to those who really have no idea what love is.  I will remain thankful for all the blessings God gives me through these United States.  My assignment is to preach Christ.  And if I’m diligent in that assignment, God will do His part and turn the hearts of men. 

God, please continue to bless these United States of America!