What is home?

What is truth?  Pilate asked this question to Jesus, I ask this same question to us…what is truth?

Last week I wrote a letter to a friend, and told him that I didn’t feel at home.  

Home to me is where God is.

Home to me in church is where God is.  If God isn’t there (on purpose) in the congregation, in worshipful appreciation of God, it’s not home!

If we can’t worship the Lord in PRAISE, then what are we doing?  Are we wasting our time, or putting in our time at church for our hour or so to make ourselves feel better?  Tradition? bahh

This is not the way it is suppose to be.  

To get up on Sunday morning, RELIGIOUSLY, dress prettily, put on that big hat, ladies.  And men, don’t forget to straighten up that tie.  Some churches dress casual- which is okay too, Jesus looks at the heart, not the wardrobe.  But something is missing!

The psalmist who opens up the service, inviting us to praise, is enthusiastic, but the crowd is still asleep.  The song needs a few voices to ring out harmonious praise to the Lord, yet, silence is what we hear.  Quiet voices.  What about clapping?

What about making a joyful noise unto the Lord?  What about the sacrifice of praise we sing about?  

Are they just words to pass the time?

Home is where Jesus is.  Where two or three gathered together!  Excitement!  Appreciation!  Jesus is with us, here, in this place.  He is in our audience.  We are singing to HIM!

Yet, they are silent.  Some are bored.  Some are more enthusiastic in yawning, than praising.

If people think heaven is like what we see in churches today, no wonder the world is lacking-Is this the reason of what they see that makes them not accept the invitation to “accept Jesus,”??? This is what I find so sad. 

WE are the problem- church- we are the problem.

A pastor who doesn’t pastor the church? what’s wrong with this picture???  Some who give themselves names, Apostle, for one…who is the furthest thing from representing God’s complete picture-  yes, I get angry!  I get angry of People here who call themselves CHRISTIAN  who can not show "truth" in demonstration.

Ones who can’t applaud God?  Ones who can’t appreciate His goodness?  Ones who are too busy looking Christian, yet are so far away that it must break God’s heart.

SHAME on us who can’t take the step of faith to Praise our maker with freedom.  To clap our hands in praise- to sing as loud as we can to bring honor and glory to our God, because we LOVE HIM!

I want to honor God, and if it takes leaving a dead church- (a pruning if you will) that’s what I have to do.  If it takes “discernment” on my part- being watchful, not judgmental (this is hard) WATCHFUL- because these leaders are our shepherds.  And, these shepherds need to be right!  They need to be right in their own spirits.  They need to practice what they preach!  God has shown me (though) that this is HIS business, when they don't; not mine.

Rev 2 has shown me something…  I myself need to be careful, or God is going to take away my lamp, and I don’t want that.  Bitterness is a terrible root.  It destroys.  I know, I am a survivor, and still have relapses.

It makes me so angry when the pulpit is taken for granted & when it is not taken as a sacred place.  A place where we RE- present Jesus.  Representing Him to the Lost, re- presenting Him to ears who listen.  But, when the pulpit is a place of mere words, memorized from someone else's script, pointing fingers, and forgetting that one points back at them…the room becomes small.  Because pride becomes great and big, and sometimes Jesus gets pushed out the door, off the pulpit, and the world wonders why there are so many hypocrites.  They are right!  

I am hypocritical at times, and I have to repent. But I never write something that the Lord gives me to look good, to look big and smart (because I know I am not) and to get glory.

All that comes through these fingers belong to God.  I am HIS handi-work… And all the glory goes to God!

When these messages or scriptures open up to me, they are mine first. God speaks to me first.  It is my spirit that is being ministered to…then it goes to the group.  If I am not blessed (which never has happened) then nothing will be sent.  But God always blesses me!

This word is a reminder, an encouragement.  When you go to church…remember, you are going to see God.  This is our way to be with Him.  This is our way to show Him our best.  Our highest praise comes from our mouth when we sing and worship His precious name.  Our faith is ignited!

Dynamite happens! Jesus shows up with the two or three who worship Him in spirit in truth, and blesses more and above all we can ask or think!

He said, “Make a joyful noise!”  so you can’t sing, big deal; make a joyful noise!  Don’t be ashamed to clap your hands.  The bible tells you to do so.  “Clap your hands all ye people, shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph,” scripture says.

So, I can say, a man with out hands has an excuse.  A person who is mute, has an excuse.

But a person who calls themselves: CHRISTIAN; Christ Follower, Child of God HAS NO EXCUSE to NOT praise their Father.

We were created to worship the Lord!  

To the ones who sit on their hands- on purpose- you need to talk to God- and ask Him why you can’t worship Him the way He wants you to.

To the one who calls themselves a name & the world sees a different name, you need to talk to God and ask Him why the word Christian is just a word, and not an action.  We need to repent of our sin-

Worship is our open door to blessings.  Praise God in church- if you want your blessing!  Clap your hands all ye people!!! Shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph…. our blessing….

Jesus help us.

YOU are truth.

We worship you- Way, Truth, and Life.

The disciples asked You to teach them how to pray.  Lord, teach us how to worship you in spirit and in truth.  The kind of truth that pleases the Father.

Forgive us when we sit on our hands.  Forgive us when we are ashamed.  Forgive us when pride takes over, or any sin for that matter.  Jesus we need You, more than ever.  Help us Lord.

Show us YOU- let us see, and understand that when we walk through the doors of a church, we are not going to drink tea and crumpets with our friends, and visit.  Or, hear a message that the pastor has been working so hard to make perfect.  Or, even hear the band.  And some who witness the poor leader motivate and cheer on the crowd to PRAISE JESUS- almost begging them- just to be disappointed… no wonder the mike is so loud.  Show us, in word and in deed the importance of Worshiping You, Lord.

YOU are HOME, and YOU are TRUTH, let this resonate in our hearts, in Jesus name, Amen Jesus!!!