IF
“If” is a subjunctive in the English language. Conditions predicate what will follow. If whatever is implied by “if” is not done, then whatever follows “if” will not be done.
My hunch is that there are lots of folks who are trying to force God to do the blessings after “if” without doing the conditions resting in “if”.
The Greene County Fair is a family-oriented event. Safe and especially designed for children. We took our three year-old granddaughter. She would get off one ride and run to another…another…another…with no evaluation of past experience or knowledge of future experience. On to the new…on to what had not been ridden…on to a hopeful thrill without any context to judge what a “thrill” really is...or what is the safest, the most gratifying, best for the body, best for the mind, or what best might be learned from the experience.
I spoke with a dear pastor friend a few days ago. A key family in his church has left to start a new church. This family has now meandered to at least FIVE different churches in about 15 years. They work into leadership, want a voice, develop a sphere of influence, and then when a new “thrill” comes along they say “God has told us it is His will for us to leave.”
One thing I have learned: The devil uses “God told me” to trump the pastor. God is bigger than the pastor. When folks tell a pastor “God told me” it is “top of the shelf,” straight from the Pentagon, voice of the Commander-in-Chief. No one can trump God. No one can give any wisdom that is higher than God. Folks who without counsel of their pastor hear from “God” and tell their pastor they have “heard from God” are really saying: “Pastor, you have nothing to say that will change my mind. I have already made up my mind. Your wisdom is not needed and will not be received. This conversation will end the way it started: I will do what I was going to do before I came to talk!”
I have often wondered about folks who say they love their pastor but come to their pastor with hard and final decisions, PRETENDING to ask for counsel and wisdom. It seems so foolish…such a waste of time. I have learned it is a waste of time to reason with people who have egotistically forsaken logic. When folks have made up their mind to leave because God told them, the best thing to do is be gracious and hold the door open. Then pray for them. They may come home...and many have...more will.
Like children in a playground many church folks across America are running from religious thrill to religious thrill. We have had laughing revivals, crying revivals, healing revivals, financial blessing revivals, prayer revivals…often with no other effect other than to validate the ego of those involved. "Me" is into thrills, and me needs lots of ego massaging.
This AM we wait on a snowstorm that will affect 100,000,000 people in the U.S. We wait to see what will happen with an Egyptian uprising that is shaking the world and raising oil prices in the U.S. We wait to see what will happen in Iraq and Afghanistan. We wait to see what will happen with our economy…and wit joblessness. We wait to see what will happen with health care, abortion, hate laws protecting homosexuals as a protected class of people…even while we increase persecution of Christians in the U.S.
I have a suggestion. Choose a church that is Bible-centered and has a pastor of integrity. Choose a church that does not run after the next “thrill.” Choose a church that encourages folks to study the Bible, pray, hold each other accountable. Choose a church that encourages folks to get involved in a small group and hold each other accountable. Choose a church that prays, that tithes and has financial accountability, is mission driven with a missionary heart, and that believes Jesus is coming soon. Choose a church that you feel like you have been to worship.
Now, consider the “if.” Are you committed? Are you serious about going to heaven? Are you serious about really growing up and being mature in your faith as a follower of Jesus Christ?
Our Covenant Family is solid. If you are in the family, get fully in. Fulfill the “if’s” and allow God to do all He has promised when we obey. At the present time we are having a season of fasting and of financial fasting from unnecessary spending. Prayer is center--focused. God is at work. No legalism. Willing hearts. Volunteers. So beautiful! Testimonies of God’s blessing are happening daily.
Much love,
Pastor Bare