Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
It is a sad truth that many church services today are designed to please people and not the Lord. The search is on (and has been on) to find out what the people want and give it to them. That does not agree with the Bible or the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, nothing happens impromptu or by chance in many churches. There is especially no room for the Holy Ghost.
Thorough demographic studies have been painstakingly implemented to capture the soul of the person that walks through the door. The study is so complete that they know what the person wants, even though the person may not really know themselves. The mental game begins the moment you enter the door because the entire church and service is based on the natural soulical and mental realm, not upon spiritual principles.
The church knows what movies and TV shows you watch. They know the fashion statement you prefer to make and the way you are going to dress. They know what color of paint will soothe you or irritate you. They know exactly what decor attracts you and turns you off. They also understand your attention span: when they need to play a video, sing a song or give a commercial about the social clubs within the church. In other words, they have it together.
The very sad truth is that these church leaders would not know the Lord Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost if they came walking down the aisle with a red hat and purple cape on. In fact, if they saw them, they would throw them out because they don’t work with their plans.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.(Matt. 7:26-27).
Jesus Christ said we need to hear His sayings and we must do His sayings. Make a decision, right now, that Biblical, spiritual things will be the most important priority in your life, family, and ministry. Stop doing anything that takes your time away from seeking the Lord, reading His Word and focusing on heavenly things.
We are presently having much violence, economic problems, social problems and spiritual trouble in our society. The church that is filled with the Spirit of God will hold back evil. It takes waiting in the presence of God to be saturated with His Spirit. Waiting in His presence seems to be very unpopular in the church today.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalms 27:14
We must not forget that we are working for Jesus Christ. People should come as they are, but never leave as they came. Some churches make people feel good, but there is no lasting change that ever occurs. The Holy Ghost is not welcome at these places, but He is the only one that can change them. We are in great need for a spiritual outpouring in the church today.
It is a matter of pride to think that our plans and our opinions are enough to pull people from the pit of Hell and into the Kingdom of God. They are not. We must have God’s plan, His purpose, and His way of doing things. Without them, we are like the man who built the house on the sand. He built it in vain and it was washed away in the storm.
The plans of man have no power or authority to stand against the attacks of Satan. But the plans and power of God can. Make your decision to get God’s plan and His power. Leave the plans of man at the wayside and go on with God. He is with you!
