How would we describe your attitude toward church? Is it something we look forward to, or more like something to get through so we can have the rest of the day to ourselves? Is it a duty to perform or a are we genuinely excited to assemble together?

Our level of expectation has a lot to do with what we get out of church.

Unfortunately, the structure of some church services I've been to doesn't allow much room for God to move. Interestingly, many people like that kind of consistency. They expect a 90-minute service, so, that's what they get.

Is that what we expect? Is that the weekly window of opportunity we're comfortable giving the Lord and the church to operate in? Or are we open and hungry for more?

The last part of Matthew 13 tells what happened when Jesus taught in his own hometown. The people were astonished at his teaching, but couldn't get past him. He was a local boy, and what's so special about a local, right?  "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"  Here's how that story ended:

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:58).

Christ met his people at their level of expectation back then, and does so today as well. If I don't expect much from God, I won't receive much from him. Consider this:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Would we be surprised to know that God's plans and desires for us are MUCH BIGGER, than our own, especially when we assemble together in obedience as the church? Check this out...

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him... (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Mark 16:17-18 says, And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The book of Acts tells how God met his people in many great and mighty ways with miracles, signs and wonders. That was their level of expectation.

My wife and I met together with another couple as a church around a kitchen table in their home recently. By all appearances, it was a simple, no frills get together. What could possibly happen in that setting, right?

Then God showed up.

I can only speak for myself, but reading his Word and realizing God has great plans for us was awesome.  Three of us were quickly in tears as his presence flooded the room. I was moved hearing others share what the Lord was showing them right at that moment. God was drawing us all closer together and closer to him. It was like a two and half hour group hug!

If I expect, if I believe, if my eyes are not on the vessel, but on the God inhabiting the vessel, all things are possible!  A child like faith is more impressive to Christ than college level doubt.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

So how open are we to God? Will he do great things around us, to us or with us? Or will he pass us by so he can reach those who are expecting a miracle? It's a reasonable question for all of us, no matter what side of the pulpit we're on. Today's church leaders, like the Pharisees of old, are often the most guilty of grieving the Spirit and restricting the power of God. Got to stick to the program, right? Well, how about we get onto God's program and let him have control? His presence, power and purpose for us is more important then our programs!

I wonder what's going to happen this Sunday... I can't wait!

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I'm not talking about "Name it and claim it" or "Blab it and grab it."  But there are some spiritual principles and excellent advice to help us prosper. If we'll take these to heart, we can't fail.

First Things First. Do we have our priorities right? Is God on the throne of our hearts or is that place reserved for him on Sundays only? Jesus said, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33)  The “things” referred to here are the necessities of life; food, clothing and shelter, etc. If we keep the Lord first, he will always take care of us.

Diligence. This should be a no brainer, but in the age of distractions like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, many of us could use a reminder. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, but if it's the other way around, Jack will be a poor boy.

Proverbs 10:4 says, He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Here's another one: The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. (Proverbs 12:24)

Getting Promoted. Does God care about such things? Of course he does! He promoted Joseph to be second only to pharaoh over all of Egypt, and he may have great purpose for you in positions of higher authority. But he will probably not promote you if you're not worthy of it. God is a very skillful and very shrewd businessman. What does God look for in a person to promote them? Let's see...

Proverbs 22:4 says, By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Couple that with Psalm 75:5-7, Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

What will humility do for us on the job? It can make us teachable, and open to correction. We'll be in the right frame of mind to recognize not just what we're doing well, but more importantly, where we can improve. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  (1 Peter 5:6-7)

More Money. The older I get the more I'm believing that it's not how much we have, but how we handle what we have that's the key. We could work for minimum wage and have enough, or make millions and be filing for bankruptcy. If we can't handle money properly, are we deserving of more?

How would the following words from King Solomon change our spending habits?

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3:5-10)

Giving tithes may not be a New Testament command, but giving is. Giving to those in need around us, giving of our carnal things to those who sow into us spiritual things, or as the Lord directs is a very important part of a healthy perspective of money and things. Speaking to a large crowd, Jesus taught us to: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)

Humility is the doorway to promotion. And diligent earning, wise spending and cheerful giving is a biblical recipe for handling money. 

Admittedly, easier to say than to do, but blessed are those who hear and do!

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The concept of church here in America has changed dramatically since I was a kid faithfully attending Sunday School. I'm not suggesting that the church of yesteryear was perfect – just different. Perhaps more real.

After several years of full-time ministry in an independent church, our family moved to another state. We didn't feel to start another work, so we visited some churches close by. What we heard preached and taught from the pulpit was not only different from what we were used to, it was far from scriptural.  And when you know better, it's very difficult to just sit back and be a polite spectator, isn't it? We left as much for conscience sake as it was for peace.

But in retrospect, we didn't leave the church.  The church of the Bible isn't a denomination. We walked out of a glitzy organizational meeting.

There's an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about the modern church wanting to fit in with our current society rather than being acceptable with God. It's worth reading, so I've linked to it below. The writer captures how many of us feel today. Churches have become cultural thermometers rather than the spiritual thermostats they're supposed to be.

The dilemma some believers face is this: This is the only church we know. If we leave, where will we go? What will we do?

Excellent question! Please don't stop asking because God makes this promise to us: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matt. 5:6) I can say with absolute confidence that God is no respecter of persons. If he's led others into a deeper more authentic church experience, he will lead you too!

Would you allow me make a few suggestions if you're wondering what to do next?

First, don't leave where you're at simply because you're angry or upset with someone. Please follow Matt. 18:15-17 to find resolve. There's a right way and a wrong way to handle things, and God may have you where you're at for a reason. Be sure that God – not your emotions - is leading you in another direction.  If the leadership won't listen to you or can't address your concerns satisfactorily, it may be time to move on.  

Second, realize that there is a priority of relationships. Your personal relationship with Jesus Christ comes first, then the relationship with your family, and then the relationship with the church, in that order. If you really don't have a strong walk with God personally, work on that now. Get into the Bible for yourself now, and start communicating with the Lord in prayer now. If you're not sure where to start, download the free Bible studies here, get a KJV Bible, and start reading the verses. Next, do it as a family while continuing to seek the Lord for where he wants you next. He might lead others to you! Please do not loose your faith! Far too many people will just stop fellowship all together. Folks, this is NOT an option. You will backslide.

Finally, be open to a very different church experience. Most of us are accustomed to talented praise teams, choirs, skilled speakers, nice buildings and lots of well dressed people all around us. That's what we're comfortable with. However, the early church was the opposite of this in almost every way.  

Many churches met in people's homes. No high-definition TV screens, sound systems or Sunday School. Churches were overseen by elders who taught others to teach rather than a single pastor acting as a CEO.  Instead of a regular preacher every week, everyone was encouraged to participate so everyone was edified. People prayed together, wept together, taught one another and experienced the power of God directly by his spirit (I Cor. 14:26).  This may take some getting used to.

We sought God every step of the way through our valley of decision. We looked to the scriptures for answers and found them. Jesus has been faithful, never leaving or forsaking us.  He will do the same for you as you seek him! 

Church isn't about where we meet; it's about how we meet together. Church is something we are, not something we do. And if it's just you and your spouse or a couple of friends for awhile, that's okay. Jesus knew we'd be here and said,

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matt. 18:22).

Don't hesitate to ask questions. Use the contact form as well as the other resources here. We're all in this together and should be able and willing to help one another.

Here's the Wall Street Journal Article.

May the Lord guide you as you walk this narrow way that leads to life!


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Have you ever seen little booklets in the back of church buildings or a section on a website entitled, “What We Believe?” They usually reveal the basic tenants of that group's doctrine. I always wonder who the “we” are. In my experience, it's tough to find three people who agree on anything, let alone a 300-member congregation and a twelve point denominational creed with subsections.

Rude Awakening #87: Many of those beliefs were probably copied and pasted from other church booklets.

Have you ever asked yourself what you believe? Or have you ever heard something preached that caused you to tilt your head and wrinkle your brow in doubt? Ever wanted to stand up and ask the preacher, “Where is that in the Bible?” You probably should have - respectfully, of course. If we preach it openly, we should be held to account for it openly.

Back to the point: What do you believe, and why do you believe it? Are you comfortable enough in the word to back up your beliefs with scripture, or do you break out into a sweat when asked a Bible question and simply say, “That's a good question for Pastor Bob.”

If that's were you're at today, I'd like to encourage you to consider digging into the Word for yourself. If we don't know what the Bible teaches, we won't know if we're being taught truth or opinion. Consider this admonition from Paul to Timothy:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  (2 Tim. 4:2-4)

Imagine this: A friend of yours who's never been interested in God before, meets you later today and asks you in all sincerity, “What must I do to be saved?” And he's serious! What would you tell them? Would you quote some phrase you heard preached by Dr. Rev. Smith or would you take them to the scriptures, say, the Book of Acts where we can read exactly what the apostles preached? Does it really even matter so long as we all just try to be good, tolerant and nice to puppies?

Here's a portion of what Jesus commanded his disciples:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (Mark 16:15-16)  Sounds a little different than just try to be a good person.

I explore the gospel a little deeper on the videos below if you're interested.

The point is this: The consequences for adding to or taking away from the scriptures are mind blowing! So is not knowing the Word of God and not having a love of the truth! If we don't know the Bible for ourselves, we won't know if we're hearing false doctrine. Check out a simple Bible study here and just feast on the word!

God gave us his Word for our salvation, understanding and growth. He gave it to each one of us to read and study – not to just a few church leaders. We should be maturing in Christ, sharing in the treasure of promises in the scriptures and ultimately turning around and teaching others to teach. The Word will save us if we believe it! 

Do you believe that?

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What generation is being described in the verse above? A wayward Israel in the wilderness? Our current day? Or is it prophetic addressing a generation to come?

The verse is descriptive of days prior to American Idol. Days before iPhones, YouTube and the internet. It goes way back before Hollywood, the first telegraph and even the printing press. The verse is Genesis 6:5 and tells of the days of Noah before the great flood. Here are the next couple of verses:

“And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Gen. 6:6-8)  Thank God for Noah!

Imaginations and thoughts. Am I the only one out there who has to fight to keep his thoughts in the right place? “Stop! Don't go there!” seems to be part of my daily mental routine. 

We don't have to go looking for negative things to put into our minds, do we? It's part of the atmosphere. From billboards, to music, television and movies, books, office banter and what just got emailed to us and what we're about to forward to our friends, we're in a battle for our minds and hearts. Unfortunately, I don't always see it as a battle. Which is my first mistake.

Whatever we take in by way of our eyes and ears becomes the building blocks for our thoughts. Those thoughts get kicked around a while and have a way tainting my thinking or materializing in our actions. Repeated actions become habits. Habits, for better or worse, color our character and can ultimately impact our eternal destiny. Thoughts are important; For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he... (Proverbs 23:7). Paul summed things up this way: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

God destroyed the earth because of the wickedness of man. Interesting that when Christ returns, the conditions of the world will be as they were in the days of Noah. And as that generation was caught off guard back then, so too will ours be surprised.  Some will be rejoice; others will cower in fear and dread at his appearance.  Jesus gave us this comforting or chilling reminder...

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)  Enjoy the short video...

Let's not be so caught up in the the ways of this world with it's momentary pleasures that we lose our way and ultimately our souls.  

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 
(Philipians 4:8)

What do you think?

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