The proper relationship with Jesus
Tonight in a discussion on churches, one chatter posted this quote from a website he was reading:
Christianity began as a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When it went to Athens, it became a philosophy. When it went to Rome, it became an organization. When it went to Europe, it became a culture. When it came to America, it became a business.
Sadly that seems to be true for some (not all) churches. But then we know that there will be many false things in these end times. There are still good churches in my area though. I trust there are some in yours as well.
on February 18th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Wow, that quote seems to ring true.
But the good news is that despite Satan’s never-ending attempts over the centuries, and despite the havoc we bring as sinners, God’s church goes on!! Christianity, despite all of it’s many attacks, is alive in the hearts of believers everywhere.
There are no “perfect” churches, because the churches are made up of sinners — ha ha. But there are many good churches. As long as we view the church as an organization, I think we set ourselves up for potential trouble. The church is The Body of Christ — the people within it.
I was sitting in church recently, basically feeling sorry for myself. I felt like I didn’t fit into our congregation. I felt like I didn’t have any truly close friends. I felt like if I left this church, it wouldn’t matter to anyone here. And then God spoke to my spirit, and said, “It’s not about you. It’s about Me.”
And then I was able to worship Him truly and openly, and I realized how selfish my thinking was!
It’s not about my “church.” It’s about who I am within my church.
Praise God that He is here and that He seeks after us!
on February 21st, 2006 at 7:42 pm
Very well said Elisabeth. I know I have heard things over the years said in church such as what you said about how you were feeling. It is about “God” and not about “Me”. One of the things that I chose to do was ask God where he wanted me in his plan for his church. What gifts did he give me that he wanted me to use for his Glory and not my own. When I became involved in his plan I saw more clearly my “purpose” in life. I now serve in many areas of the church while also keeping my boundaries in place, so as not to over-do it or do it with the wrong spirit about me. I also did alot of praying that God would teach me to be a faithful tither, as that was one of my weeknesses, to trust God with my finances. I know that I do not go to a church that is a business, in the sence that some have become. But, I also know that to further God’s kingdom the church does rely on the faithfulness of its members. My church is my extended family and wouldnt I help my family in times of need? There is a great need in this world to reach souls. And if the little bit I can contribute makes a difference in someones life then I am trully blessed. And I sure have learned that there is no way I could ever out-give God. I thank him daily for the blessings he showers on me, most of all for a church that I call “Home”, with people that I trully Love and who Love me back. Thank you for this blog Jade…:)
on February 25th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Hmm. THe thing of it is, the way that “Christianity” is today, churches are basically modifying and remodifying the way THEY SAY a relationship with God should be. THey don’t understand that GOD teaches them! We’ve become so CONFIDENT and TRUSTINF in OURSELVES that we forget God gives us the skill to do all these things that we are proud of! Too much confidence in oneself can lead to an improper relation ship with God. Exscuse me, must make sure the BAndits can come back! Go Mike Harwell! LOL
on March 10th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
In a marketing world, with millions of visual and auditory messages being sent to communicate a message of “point of sale” to you, me and everyone, I am not surprised that a church becomes a business, in a mindset to satisfy the lusts..isn’t that our sin nature. I have been a bit of a traveller in life living in many cities dropping in on many churches, and I have seen “point of sale” in many foyers, glassed in shops beyond the entrance, I have seen cappucino bars, and tables upon tables of “point of sale”.
However in among the cashiers, registers, and bagging up of treasures I see little of the the sanctuary I seek from God Above.
Thats when my heart reminds me to look to whats ahead, a few more steps, to an altar where I’ll kneel and chat with my Saviour instead. I turn my eyes to Jesus and Give my heart to Him, losing sight to left or right to be alone with Him. I lift my voice in Song and Exalt how great He is, and the sin I left behind me is covered by His Love!