Having Church or Being
“The” Church
Danette
and I both sensed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to this latest call of
ministry at approximately the same time. We had both been stretched further
than we imagined in the last ministry “assignment”, even though we were engaged
in the fight in spiritual warfare, we might not have realized how intensely the
enemy opposed what we were attempting to fulfill.
Like
the awe of how when we recognize grace plays such a large part in our lives,
there is a greater proportion of worth that God sees in us all. We were quite
taken back in the magnitude and importance of what He called us to do, both
then and now.
During
the time in-between these assignments is what I would like to address in this post.
We
look back and see how much He comforted us, and gave us time and circumstances
that healed. We found ourselves getting “comfortable” in this. We were given
the desires of our hearts as God does, we had things restored that the locusts
devoured as God also does. We were being fed spiritually, provisions needed
were provided for, and there was just a season of real healing and rest. I
found myself thinking this is the way I want to live.
But
as the Holy Spirit began to speak more intimately and personally we began to
get that heart for the real reason Christ died. That is to save the lost, as we
both were, and everyone who is honest with themselves, were, or are, as well. Romans 3:23
The
general overseer of our church came to refresh the ministers of our region in
Billings recently and spoke of Paul and his hardships while writing the
letter to the Philippian church. He did not face a time of rest while there was
work to be done. In fact, he would not see rest until his beheading by the hand
of Nero and then be able to enter into the presence of Christ once more
forever. But it was not until that time his work physically was finished.
When
arriving in Billings to begin work starting The Meeting Place we noticed
a church building on every corner as it seems. It was after reflection on the
period of “rest”, and that message about Paul, that I began to reflect on how HUGE
a difference there is between “Having Church” and “Being The Church”.
Our
first Bible study was on invitations to the wedding feast. Matthew 22:1-14, if you haven’t read it in a while it’s worth another
look.
A
couple of eye openers for the people already invited to the feast,
- The story is likened to the kingdom of heaven- by Christ!
- Those who were invited already were the ones that didn’t come!
Maybe
they were similar to those of us who “Have Church” but not like the ones who are
found out and about “Being the Church”
Just
saying….
Any
thoughts?
Maybe
you were reading this and for some reason you realized you are not where you
should be in relationship with Christ. The Meeting Place is here to help! You
can be in right relationship with God! Romans
10:9 sums it up pretty well. If that’s you and you feel like “I am not able
to be right”, let alone with a Holy God, (you couldn’t be further from the
truth) the price has been paid for you with a once and for all eternal Holy
sacrifice- Jesus- on the cross. Just simply talk to God right now, he already
knows your heart, let Him know that you know you are a sinner, ask Him to apply
Jesus’s sacrifice to your sin and to forgive you. Ask Jesus to come into your
heart to stay. If you’ve done this, give us a call at The Meeting Place and
profess Jesus is your Lord with your mouth. We would like to help you get to
know Him better.
The Meeting
Place 406-544-9179
