A CHURCH HOME

This is heavy on my heart so I am posting it now instead of waiting for Sunday. It is nice to do as the Spirit leads instead of what you think you should do!

Today I want to address finding a church. But I need to explain a bit first. It really angers me how people go to a church, get really moved by what they hear, give their life's to Christ, the church all stands around and cries and welcomes them and then.......yeah you have probably been there haven't you?

Now what? Forgive me but sometimes I am just to blunt. They tell you Jesus loves you, give your life to the Lord and life will be beautiful all the time. WRONG? To get to the place were you smile no matter what happens, to get to the place were you can say 'all is well' no matter what happens takes time and proper teaching. You would never hand your newborn a Bible, tell them to read it themselves and understand it and their life will be wonderful because Jesus loves them.

Basically that is what many buildings that have people behind a podium are doing. Which gets us to finding a church of believers. You want to find a church that will teach you how to grow in the Lord.

I love to hear a good sermon, preaching is nice. But to be honest I would rather get taught. I can never learn enough and neither can any one else. Do not think for a minute that we do not have problems, having grown in Christ we know better how to stand against the enemy when we are attacked, and even then sometimes we cry on our sisters shoulder, and they mentor us through what is going on in our life’s.

So shop for a church. Take your time. One of my favorite sayings is how can I trust someone who will lie to me about one thing when it comes to my salvation. The same goes for teach me how to stand and to walk, don't just tell me 'life is beautiful all the time.'

Now let me step on some toes here. I do not care how many missionary groups you have, nor am I interested in the altar society, or any other clubs you have going on. What can you teach me about growing in the Lord? If you have children what is Sunday school like? Not that you have a softball team, and a swimming team. You would be surprised at how many building don't have anything for the children, but expect them to sit through hours of preaching. If there is one child that child should have a Sunday school class, let them learn on their level. Traditions are just that, they are not facts and need to be let go. Just because your grandmother always did it does not make it right. One more thing before I leave this alone. Why do you leave a building that is not fulfilling you, find a new place and still pray, study, and read but forget the mess that went with that building. Let it GO!!

First pray and then seek. My baby girl found a church a couple of years ago and she asked me to visit one Wednesday night. We walked into a business meeting were different people were raising their hands to be on this or that. I just sat there listening. When we got ready to leave I asked a woman one question about baptized, she answered. My daughter looked at me and said well I won't be back here. I was so proud of her.

Some buildings it will be easy to weed out, others will be harder. Remember when you go into a new church, question, and then question some more. Take notes, go home and read it yourself, study what was preached or taught. See if it lines up completely with the Word of God.

For those new to the Lord you have to be careful, this is your soul we are talking about. Take your time and the Lord will lead you to the church you need to be in.

God Bless You Indeed
recj/ljg