The Crowd Or The Cloud: Part 2

* Be sure to read Part 1 to understand where this picks up.

Fear of the Unknown. This is why those who have tasted and seen must share what we have found! How will others know of this lifestyle of daily intimacy with the LORD if those who are living it do not inform others that it is real? Of course it is scary to venture out into unknown waters! When my wife and I stopped attending services each week, I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt guilty. I felt like I was doing something wrong. I thought that I would spiritually die. After all, this is what had been drilled into me my entire life! But, my response is what determined my result! I chose to cling closer to my Father than I ever had. I chose to study who I am in Christ. I chose to surround myself with a handful of others who I trusted and knew were seeking the LORD. What I found was that I grew more spiritually in one year of this environment than I did in thirty-plus years of "church attendance" (and yes, sadly, this even includes my few years of being a youth pastor). Without the support of others who were on this journey with me and most importantly, the LORD honoring my willingness to embark into the unknown, I would not have made it. Fear is a powerful tool of religion, but it is a lie. The LORD has not given us a spirit of fear! One cannot excuse away the shackles of bondage if the key to their freedom is in their very own hands.

Fear of Rejection. The fear of rejection is likely even more powerful than the fear of the unknown. Imagine paring venturing into the unknown with doing so alone! No one likes to go it alone all of the time. Even I, who doesn't mind independence whatsoever, greatly desire to fellowship with others who are hearing what the LORD is speaking. It is a necessary component for spiritual growth, without question. The Body is a unified Body made up of parts, functions and gifts. Oddly, weekly acquaintances have given masses of Christians the false feeling of acceptance and Body life. It is a poor impersonation of what the true Body is to be. In order to stand up and question what the majority embraces as truth, one must determine whether or not they're ready to be rejected. For me, one question sums it all up - is what I believe so valuable and true that I'm willing to be rejected and ostracized for it? If what one embraces as truth can be laid down in order to be accepted and approved by men, it has no real importance to them in the first place. While I don't desire to be labeled a heretic, I'm learning to stand tall despite opposition or ridicule. One must be determined to stand up and cling to what the LORD defines as acceptable, even if it labels you as an outcast.

The truth of the matter is this - most will continue to follow the masses. Most will stay within the walls of the positional church and just do whatever they are told. It is easy. It is simple. Following the cloud takes great faith. It takes a pioneering spirit. It takes a willingness to go where few others are going. The Word prophesies that many will be led astray and not even know it. Many will just follow the masses, assuming they know the way. I understand this, yet my cry will remain the same - will you dare to look and see? Will you follow the quiet call of the LORD over the loud cries of men? Will you at least walk outside of the gates and see what awaits you there?

What great treasure was ever found by a prospector who never unearthed any dirt? What lands were ever discovered by an explorer who remained in his own homeland? What invention was ever created by one who never dared to do what no one else had done before? Is it not the same in the spiritual? Venture out! Dare to believe that there is more! Leave the crowd and follow the cloud my friend! No words could ever express what beauty, purpose, joy, anticipation, and life awaits you there! You can do it, if you are willing to study and leave ignorance behind, abandoning the errant teachings of days gone by. You can do it, if you lay aside your personal objections to the idea and seek to understand what true Christianity looks like. You can do it, if you can leave the comfort zones of conformity and embark into new territories, relying on the LORD for strength. You can do it, if you can journey into the unknown, daring to believe that there is more out there than what you've known. You can do it, if you lay down your fear of rejection and your desire to please men above the LORD. You can do it! Ask the LORD what He would speak to you on this matter. Study His Word and know why you believe what you do. Unplug from the things of this world and envelope yourself in what strengthens your inner man! Now is the time. Tomorrow is almost here and will soon be gone itself. Seek the LORD while He may be found. Will you dare to venture out my friend? Will you leave the crowd and follow the cloud?

The Crowd Or The Cloud: Part 1

As most of you know, although I write often, I'm not an avid reader myself. I do however enjoy reading short articles now and then. I recently ran across a small piece that caught my attention.* The main topic that it was addressing was not one that I personally find riveting, but some points made within the topic struck a chord with me. I found that several of the writer's explanations, when viewed through the eyes of how I view moving from "mainstream Christianity" to the narrow path, made some things clearer to me, even though he was not addressing this particular issue. For weeks now, I've really been asking the LORD what is going on in the spiritual lives of the people that I'm in relationship with. I've had some pretty deep discussions of spiritual matters with most everyone that I'm in relationship with, whether they are family, friend or acquaintance. Sadly, few seem to desire to grasp what it takes to leave behind "wide road Christianity". When you align the written Word of God beside what is taught and executed in "churches" today, there just is simply no debate remaining. I have experienced this time and time and time again. So why do so many who, when seeing it for themselves in the Word of God still choose to remain in the clutches of religion and traditions? How can one see the error, acknowledge it for what it is, see how God's plan opposes so much of it and then still remain a willing participant? This question just baffles me.

The article that I referenced answered, if only in part, this question for me. The heading was simply titled, "The Crowd or the Cloud?" That alone speaks volumes to me. The crowd of popularity and "normalcy" has replaced the cloud of God's holy presence. As I've stated before, the veil has been sewn back together and man has chosen to live separated from God. The Body of Christ chooses to reside in the Old Testament law of rituals and traditions of men rather than walk as sons and daughters of the Living God, set free to intimately live empowered by Christ daily. Only those who have chosen to walk outside of the gates and see what is out there know the freedom that exists. Only those who once made their abode in the city of religion and bondage, and have been set free to become who they are in Christ can truly know the reality of this level of intimacy with the LORD. So why do so many choose to remain within the city walls? Why do the majority settle for the cold chicken nuggets when a bountiful buffet awaits them? For some of you, this may address where you are currently residing. Do you ever consider stepping out of the religious system but are not sure what you'd do if you did? Do you ever wonder if there is more? Do you ever wish that your Christian walk looked differently than it does? Do you ever wonder why you remain in a religious system that never really seems to go anywhere? Perhaps the following points might help us all address why we are prone to stay where we are and never ask questions.

* I have included a few lines here and there from Charles Jennings' writing, but for the most part, I just used his main points and adapted it to explain the issue of why Christians often choose conformity.

Ignorance/Misinformation. Simply put, the lack of knowledge. Many people will just go along with what anyone who is in a place of authority tells them. Sadly, many Believers rarely open their Bible's and study to show themselves approved. How can one personally know what God approves of and what He desires of us if we never study His Word? Topical reference and formulated Bible studies replace in-depth study and greatly limit personal revelation. In a corporate setting, if a pastor/teacher should teach false information to the "laity", and the "laity" do not weigh it against the Word, the false teaching is adopted, embraced and passed on to further generations. I personally believe that this has been the single greatest detriment to the Body of Christ throughout all of history. Traditions and doctrines have become gospel fact. Catch phrases and denominational doctrines have been passed down as Truth and it should not be so. The fruit of such fallacy is plainly evident today in "church services" all across this nation, and in fact, the world. It is time to stop the cycle and return to the written Word of God.

Prejudice. Judgment before investigation. Over the past few years, several people have just blatantly told me that there is no way one can be a growing, active, affective Christian unless he or she is involved within a "local church". The error here is that the definition has been defined incorrectly. The "local body" is not what it is promoted and thought to be. The Body has nothing to do with attending services together, but being unified followers of Christ. One cannot ever be open to something new until they are at least willing to look into it for themselves. Sadly, many write off withdrawing from wide road Christianity because they have had bad experiences or even because of hear-say regarding others who "abandoned church". Of course it would not be in error to assume that many have left organized religion wrongly. Hurt feelings, bad relationships and incorrectly handled situations have likely caused millions to become disenfranchised with the Body of Christ. One must understand however that not everyone who leaves the "church" is angry, bitter or vengeful. Many, as myself, see it as displeasing to the LORD and that is the absolute foremost motivation. The question is, will one be willing to at least personally look into the matter before judging it. Most importantly, what fruit is produced from it? I would, without wavering or excuse, state that those who I know that gather as the Body outside of organized religion produce significantly more Kingdom fruit than those that I know within the institutional "church" (and this is quite a large pool I have to draw from).

Uneasiness. The acceptance of new information disturbs one's comfort zone. Most Christians are comfortable in their religious environment and ecclesiastical shell that they or others have created for them. We are a people that if we don't like it, we simply won't do it. This is dangerous my friend considering we are to live sacrificial lives of dying to ourselves. When one begins to move out of what the majority defines as right, it will not be easy. Sitting in an easy and comfortable environment where you're seldom ever even challenged to move reeks of conformity and complacency to me. I believe that a growing, maturing Believer will continually run into "uncomfortable" situations where they must fully rely on the LORD for guidance, ability and assistance. God is more interested in our submission than our comfort.

Part 2 of 2 will be posted in a few days..

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Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions: Part 7

Summary/Reflection/Conclusion

* Remember to read the previous parts of this series first

To wrap up this series, I would like to present to you a short parable in order to make this a bit more understandable, if you'll allow me. Imagine if you will that today is your birthday. You have told me for 30 years that on this birthday, more than anything in this entire earth, you desire for me to give you a jar of strawberry jelly (I know this is seemingly silly, please follow along). You have told me that it is all that you want from me and it alone would please you. Nothing else could even be received, you said, so be sure to get it right! You even told me where to get it and how to present it to you so that I could fulfill your birthday wish.

When your birthday rolls around, I present to you a beautiful bag that I adorned myself with ornate gold and purple ribbon. I say "Look at the beautiful bag! I made it myself just for you" You respond, "It is what's inside that matters to me. It is the contents that I desire!" I hold it up to you and I open it and before your eyes you see a jar. As I turn the jar around you begin to see a label. "Peanut butter? You have given me a jar of peanut butter? What is this?" you ask in disappointment. I respond with, "Well I know what you wanted but I thought I'd just do this instead. It's still a great gift, right? Everyone told me that peanut butter is what everyone is giving these days! Aren't you excited?" You hang your head down low and say, "You have given me a jar of peanut butter. I cannot receive this gift for it is not even allowed in my presence. You could even say that I am allergic. I'm sorry, I cannot accept this gift. I am greatly disappointed. You must leave my presence now. You have been told the one thing that I would accept and you have failed." As tears roll down my face, nondescript beings come to escort me away from you. They ask me to open a small pantry door to my left. As I do, I peer in and see an endless sea of items within this vast pantry that seemingly has no walls. It is full of everything you could ever imagine. As I set the jar of peanut butter inside the pantry, I softly close the door. As I look above the door I see a small label and begin to weep. It simply states, "Unacceptable".

This, my friend, is what we have done and in fact are doing, to our LORD. We are bringing Him gifts all wrapped up in pretty packages yet the contents cannot even be allowed into His holy presence. It looks nice and we think it is great but in His sight is unacceptable. Will we continue to give our offerings out of obligation and law? Will we continue to offer up unacceptable worship because it is easy and costs us nothing? Will we continue to meet with the Body as we deem right even if it opposes the Word?

I am no poster child for doing it all exactly right. You will not find my name if you look up the names of those who have perfectly exemplified Body life. I have much to learn and it is a process. My ongoing challenge – am I learning? Am I consistently willing to leave behind traditions of men for the biblical plans of God? Words cannot express how grieved and even downright angry I get when I see what is labeled acceptable "Christianity" in my generation. It's in magazines, bookstores, television, "church" campuses, "Christian" music - it is everywhere! Nearly all of it completely contradicts His Word. I cannot say it enough! I would scream it from the top of my roof if I thought anyone would listen! I would buy an ad in the biggest magazines and newspapers in the world if I could! The fact is however, few will hear what the Spirit is saying and be willing to change. Few are willing to bring an actual sacrifice of praise. Few are willing to allow God to dictate what is acceptable and what is not. Few will even consider forsaking all that they've known to be Christianity and embark on a new journey of rediscovery. What we see in the Bible is what we see today. Few will see. Few will listen. Few will step out of the lines of conformity and go. Will you? I daily remind myself that I have enough areas within my own walk to address. I too have religion that was engrained within me. I daily seek to forsake what I like and exchange it for what my Father desires. It will ever be my life process, to live as Christ.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

For those of you who might say, "You know what, it is time that I step out and see if there's more to Christianity than what I've known" and desire to move in this, standing upon what the Word deems as acceptable unto God, I encourage you to address your mindset, not your actions. It is all about the origin, not the resulting actions. Turn your innermost being to the LORD. Change your mindset by putting on the mind of Christ. Formulate what your Christianity looks like according to the Word of God. Results will come when the origin is right. Walk by the Spirit. Be moved and guided by the Word of God, not by the trends of what the majority have deemed to be right and acceptable. Allow the LORD Himself to be your primary Guide and Teacher. Envelope yourself with people that model what the Word defines as acceptable unto God. Most of all, ask the LORD to speak to you, to direct your paths.

He is longing for His Bride to awaken and see. He is longing for Her to release worship that makes its way all the way to His beautiful throne. He makes the rules. He says what is worthy and what is not. We can no longer be ignorant when He has told us what He desires. We must be obedient. All that we do is for Him. Many have joined in on the discussion throughout this series. Many have asked "how" and "where do I begin". As difficult as it may seem, just go! Step out! Dare to see if there's more! Just what if a vast land that you never dreamed of awaits you and you never ventured out to see it? It is all about what our Creator desires and what He has deemed as acceptable. There can be no other way for those who truly desire to live for Him. No subsitute will ever satisfy. We must seek to be found holy, pleasing and acceptable in His sight above all else. May the LORD unveil our eyes to see all that He desires us to do and be!

Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions - Part 6

Gathering of the Body (3 of 3)

* Remember to read the previous parts of this series first

We've looked at several Scriptures already regarding how God views ritualistic gatherings versus gathering to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Although there are many more we could look at, here are a few more biblical examples of what has personally revolutionized what I know to be the Body of Christ:

"He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." Colossians 1:18

There is One Head, Christ alone. No man should ever hold this position.

"When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." 1 Corinthians 14:26

Each one is to be an active participant. There are no spectators in the true Body that simply fill seats and listen.

"Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house." Colossians 4:15

While religion can also easily dwell in house churches, I continue to experience first-hand how the LORD moves mightily within gatherings of the Body in homes when no formulas and rituals are present.

"If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed." 1 Timothy 5:16

To reference the tithing point earlier, when a Body is free to give where it is needed, they can. As it stands today, the organized church is greatly burdened with unnecessary financial obligations and cannot aptly assist those in need.

"And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them." Acts 4:32

Does this sound like the average local Body to you? Does this accurately describe all of the dozens of "churches" that are just in your hometown? Not in the slightest! I have only seen one organized church in my lifetime that has come even close to meeting this description and they are quite a rarity! None of us have arrived at the place where we should be, myself at the front and center with hands raised – guilty! I don't claim to be doing it perfectly in every area. The difference is, do we see what the Word defines the gathering of the Body to be and then turn a blind eye to it, choosing to settle for what it has become? Or do we disconnect from the norm and explore what the Word defines it to be? I will not settle for what our modern-day forefathers set in place. I will not forsake the real for a form of it. Will you?

I urge you to read the following verses and paragraph very carefully.

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

"For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said," I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE." 2 Corinthians 6:16

"You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5

We can no longer substitute building temporal edifices of wood and stone for building spiritual houses! The Body is to be the holy priesthood as they offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices, their very lives! We have traded in the spiritual for the natural, missing the entire point of Jesus' death and resurrection to do away with the rituals of the law. We have chosen to sew the veil back together and settle with dwelling in the outer court. We have chosen to reconstruct the physical temple in the form of "church campuses". We have chosen to again go through high priests of flesh and bone rather than The High Priest, The Christ. Only through Him are our sacrifices acceptable to God. We instead go it alone and offer up what we deem as good and pleasing, forsaking entirely what God desires. We have greatly missed it my friend and I believe the LORD is greatly grieved. If we know that the church is the people and not the building, then why in the world do we keep pumping billions of dollars a year into them? Why do the masses of Believers only gather there? It is time for the Body to grasp that She is the temple where the LORD dwells!

Lastly, on this point about the gathering of the Body I'd like to add that this is not some personal vendetta against organized religion. I have people tell me, "But my church is full of great Christian people!" or "Why are you so against 'church'?" I know plenty of fantastic Christian people with great intentions, but when the LORD has established guidelines and criteria, then we must be found to be obedient to them. It is the responsibility of the Body to know what the LORD is saying. We must know what the true biblical definition of "church" even is! We will be held accountable for our own actions and will not be able to look to anyone else to validate what we chose to live according to. It is my choice to allow the Word to define what Christianity is, not traditions and surely not the majority. We all have the choice. Sadly, most will fall into line and allow someone else to tell them who they are to be.

Paul seemingly knew what was coming, or perhaps it had already started, when he stated, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Colossians 2:8

It is time we lay down what has become errantly deemed to be "the church". We must allow the LORD to again define what His Body is and how we are to gather. Are you willing to step out and return to Him, forsaking the traditions of men for what is acceptable in His sight?

Next up I'd like to review and share an illustration that I believe will summarize this series quite clearly. We must be striving to live lives that are pleasing and acceptable to the LORD, above all else.

* I highly encourage you to read the comments on this one - some great discussion is ongoing.

Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions - Part 5

Gathering of the Body (2 of 3)

* Remember to read the previous parts of this series first

The reality is, the Christian majority are a people that do not grasp that they can truly know the LORD personally. God's acceptable plan is for His Body to act like a Body with Christ as the Head of it all. How would they even know how to when they sit idly by each week and get "fed"? The whole religious system is set up to do so. They have been lied to and subdued to think that they are meant to just submit to religious authority all their lives and never question anything. You are either "laity" or you are "clergy" and there is some mysteriously vast chasm in between the two, right? Many leaders will say, that they're just like you, but if that is the case, then why is the ladder so intact? Ask to preach a series for a month and watch things begin to unravel quite quickly. Tell the teacher that you feel like it's your turn to take on the leadership role and you will likely see who holds control. How do I know this? Again, I lived it! I sat in countless staff meetings where all we did was discuss agendas and nonsense. In one church, I must say that we did have meaningful times together seeking the LORD, but it still always had to be cut short in order to address "church business".

If I've said it once, I've said a million times, read what the Word defines the order of the Body to be! If it is about buildings, positions and predictable programs, it is not about God's agenda – period. I know I'll catch flack for that but I won't waver. I've seen both sides my friend.

I am not interested in men's status or position. God is in the business of ordination, not man. If it is true that the last shall be first, then the leadership of churches had better start studying their Bibles and understand that Jesus meant what He said. There is no laity in the Kingdom – period.

As horrible as this sounds, I am thoroughly convinced that the institutional church would be more up in arms if their pastor were removed than if God were. You can tell me that I'm going overboard with this remark, but I say, without hesitation, that I believe God has already vacated most of them and no one has even noticed. But if the pastor doesn't show, what on earth are we to do? How can I say such strong words? May I remind you that this piece is about God designating where He dwells. Man does not dictate God's presence or approval.

Malachi chapter 1, verses 6 through 10 state, "You say, 'How have we despised Your name?' 'You are presenting defiled food upon My altar But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' 'But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?' says the LORD of hosts. 'But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?' says the LORD of hosts. 'Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,' says the LORD of hosts, 'nor will I accept an offering from you'".

In summary, the people were offering displeasing sacrifices. Their ways of approaching the LORD were deemed unworthy to be accepted by Him and He rejected. It is absurd for us to go about approaching God on our terms now as well.

Further down in verse 13 we read what could be said today about how begrudgingly so many "serve" God, "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it,' says the LORD of hosts, 'and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?' says the LORD."

God has not changed. In Christ, we can now approach the throne of God, but we must do so on His terms. Just because we are free in Christ does not mean we are free to do whatever we desire in order to please Him.

Because I feel that what has already been said in the Word sums it all up, here is what is in Isaiah 1:11-14: "'What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?' says the LORD. 'I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them."

What did the LORD say to the rebellious house of Israel in Amos 5? "I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Now I know that people will tell me that these verses are not applicable to the Body of Christ today, but, to me, there is no question whatsoever that God feels the same way about what Christianity has become in this hour. Sacrifices and rituals no longer please the LORD, He has told His people that over and over again, yet institutionalized Christianity continues on nonetheless. It greatly saddens me that so few ever seem to even ask why we do what we do in the name of God. It is not about God at all, it is about traditions and handed down teachings that contradict the Word of God. Most importantly, it is considered vain in the eyes of the One that it is supposed to be for.

I encourage you to read what the Bible defines as "church" or ekklesia. It has so little in common with what we have been taught is church, it will seem wrong but it is in fact, the original plan. I have sat in gatherings where rituals, doctrines and positional ladders are not in place. I have seen God move in ways like never before in structured "services". When one is willing to truly allow the Holy Spirit to be the Guide and order giver, the LORD has room to move. He is the One who dictates the acceptable order. Freedom. Not to do whatever, whenever, but freedom to no longer be bound by the boundaries that men set in place.

Next we'll look at what several more Scriptures have to say about gatherings mentioned in the Bible. Did they ever really meet in houses? Are we really the temple of God? Can everyone really be an active participant when the Body gathers?

Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions - Part 4

Gathering of the Body (1 of 3)

* Remember to read the previous parts of this series first

As I am well aware that I often address this issue, I will be as brief as possible as to not repeat what I often speak of on this matter. I just cannot honestly get away from it – I can't help it. I believe with all that is within me that this is perhaps the greatest error within the Body of Christ, for most "ministry" flows from it. We must know how a Gathering of the Body that is pleasing unto God functions.

"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: 'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord, 'OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?'" Acts 7:48-50

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." Acts 17:24

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!" 1 Kings 8:27

One of the main issues that I have with "attending church" is that it becomes a special occasion, not a daily lifestyle. Attendees dress differently than they would if, say, they were going to the grocery store. It is validated by saying that it is "honoring the LORD's house". It is understood that you are to sit quietly (usually in the same place) and listen to someone "feed" you. You stand when you are told and you sit when you are told. You sing when you are told to sing. You sing what you are told to sing. You give your tithes and offerings and it will be assigned as the "leadership" sees worthy, unless you designate its use otherwise. You know what is coming and when. It is ritualistic religion rooted in pagan practices and age old doctrines of men. Call it what you want, it does not change what it is and it does not fit the biblical mold.

There are contemporary services, services at 8:30, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:45 AM. Services after lunch, services on Saturday nights, family-friendly church, modern church, emergent church, traditional church, denominational church, non-denominational church…. just "make it out to the service" and "go to church"! If I could choose one church sign that sums up the biggest fallacy in commonplace Christianity it is this, "Home Improvement: Take your family to church!" My friend, we have exchanged the real thing for a form of godliness. Masses of Believers meet again and again and again, following the same "orders of service" and wonder why nothing ever changes. If the "church", as most know it to be, is so fantastic, then why are so many of them all over the place yet we see virtually no fruit from any of them beyond some community-minded efforts that "secular" organizations are already doing… and doing better?

Again, I urge you, return to what God deems as acceptable, what He deems as worthy. He desires His Body to be a real, living Body! When did you last distribute Communion? When did you get up in front of anyone and teach what God is teaching you in the Word? When do you ever exercise your "Body part"? Do you not sit "under" someone week after week after week, always listening to what God is telling them? At best, you might have a ten minute window to share what you thought about what they just taught you. In the current order, a small handful of people do the "ministering" and the rest? Well, they should just pray silently, I guess.

The Body has been disqualified!

They have been reduced to volunteers, nursery workers and Sunday School teachers! My Bible tells me that if you are in Christ, you are a royal priesthood! Too many people say today to their pastors, leadership, disciplers (call them whatever you wish) what the Israelites said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die!" (Exodus 20:19) I personally feel that it is spiritually detrimental to rely on someone else to be your primary source. If one does not mature into capably handling the Word of God on their own, how does personal, first-hand revelation ever come? I challenge you to be willing to let go of relying on someone else to tell you what to study and how to study it. I'm not saying we don't need shown how, but many have already been shown how but lazily continue to be "fed" rather than feed themselves.

Until one willingly lays down their reliance upon others to be taught, they will never know the depth and width to personal discovery with the LORD Himself as their Teacher.

Will we always need instruction? Yes. Will we always need godly examples of other who have gone before us? Yes. Will we always need a teacher to hold our hand and tell us what God is speaking? I personally don't think so. Some might say, well then why do you take the time to write and "teach" others then? Is this not contradictory? I don't think it is. My entire goal and purpose is for regular people like me to understand that they too can study the Word and allow it to define biblical Christianity. I desire to be an example of how anyone can discern what the LORD is speaking when they hear what the Spirit is saying. My whole purpose is to say, "You can do it! Yes you!"

Next up, we'll see what God has said in the past about ritualistic services and vain traditions. Can we continue to approach God on our own terms and expect Him to approve of it?

Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions - Part 3

* Remember to read the previous parts of this series first

Worship (2 of 2)

Those who would oppose the expressions of worship listed in Psalms would likely tell David that he too was "getting out of hand" as he was "dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod" (2 Samuel 6:14). And what was God's response? God "anointed him with His holy oil" (Psalm 89:20). He was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). He "found favor in God's sight" (Acts 7:46).

I don't know about you, but God holding me in such high regard should far outweigh what any man's opinion of me is. When I read these Scriptures, I wonder why I ever even consider what others think of my worship and praise! It is not about or for anyone but my LORD and King!

On a side note do you know the significance of what David was wearing? In this instance, David would have had to take off his royal robe and put on plain linen dress to be found in this ephod. You see, sometimes true worship is abandoning all that you know, all that identifies you upon this earth, leaving nothing to inhibit you from worshipping your God! It is time to leave behind the forms of godliness that have infiltrated the Body and worship the LORD in spirit and in truth!

Why do we, as Believers, spend endless time practicing and perfecting earthly things (spiritual gifts, wealth, wisdom, programs, events) yet nearly no time whatsoever developing a lifestyle of abandoned worship? Loud, outspoken, passionate worship is what we'll be doing for all of eternity, yet it is hardly ever experienced here on earth.

Speaking of singing praises, have you ever felt convicted of singing songs to the LORD that when you really pay attention, you realize you don't really mean it? We sing empty songs with lying lips. I just can't do it anymore. If I find myself singing along to a song that I don't feel that I mean from my innermost being, I'll just turn it off and ask the LORD to forgive me for not being in a place where I can honestly say the lyrics to Him. Well isn't that a little too harsh, you might wonder. I don't think so.

Well, what does the Word say about what is on our lips?

"Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment." Proverbs 12:19

"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD." Proverbs 12:22

"O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart." Psalm 15:1

If this is true in a general sense, as to our neighbor, how much more so in regards to our words and promises made to the LORD? What about bringing a "sacrifice of praise"? I just don't see any sacrifice within modern day praise and worship. It is easy. It is comfortable. It is all according to what we like. If we like pop music, we go to a contemporary worship service. If we like hymns, we got to the traditional worship service. And of course, to make it as easy as possible for everyone, there is the "blended" service! Perhaps the greatest error is the simple, yet appropriate branding of the "service". It reeks of predictability and ritual and, according to what is stated in Scripture, I don't believe that God accepts it. We, myself included, must become willing to step out and do the uncomfortable and perhaps even the outlandish in worship! For Him and for absolutely no other reason! (If you say that you just won't do it, see John 12:43 and think again.)

If you grew up traditional as I did, we all sang "all to Jesus, I surrender", but we never really did. We uttered that we were "yielded and still", yet we seldom were either. We sang "wherever He leads I'll go", but never really listened to what He was even saying. What about "though none go with me, still I will follow"? That is easy to say when everybody is with you, isn't it? Perhaps you have more of a modern, contemporary flair. You have likely cried out to God "nothing compares to the promise I have in You" at the top of your lungs. Do you daily live this as reality? How about telling God that "step by step You lead me and I will follow You all of my days"? When exactly do "all of my days" officially start? You've likely sung "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down". How many times when you've sung this line have you actually bowed down and laid prostrate on the floor before the LORD? You may say, "Oh, well I couldn't do that in my shirt and tie in the middle of church"… this my friend is exactly what my point is. We have come from praising the LORD with loud cymbals and shouts (Psalms) to mouthing empty words as we think about where we're going to lunch later. And we think that this is worship? Not according to what God's Word deems as such. Now is the time for us to return to true, biblically defined worship!

(Some other Biblical sources for much more on acceptable worship and offerings – Why Cain's offering was rejected and Abel's was accepted, Cherubim guarding the throne of God from unacceptable worship, the throne room worship that John saw in Revelation. Also go here to read a piece I wrote back in March 2008 on the subject.)

Next up, we'll look at how the Body of Christ gathers. Are we doing it right in God's eyes? How can we even know?