I talked to my wife a couple months ago about God's desire for me to leave the little church, and his reasons. Since then I attended fewer meetings while she still went to church. She has decided to continue going for the time. That's her choice and that is fine with me. The people of the church love her and me, and told me they would miss me. When I told them goodbye, I simply added that it was God's will for me to move on. I gave no further reasons—but a couple of people knew my heart and understood a little more.
Sometimes as Christians we need to close the doors to the past before the doors to the future open up. Just like the children of Israel leaving the wilderness—crossing the Jordan River at flood stage and heading for the promised land—the river didn't part until the priests took their "steps" and touched the river's edge. I think I feel a little bit like what some those priest must have felt.
However, this was not the first time I stopped "going to church." In 1994, I departed the church for eight years to get to know God better—I did so through lots of prayer, reading the Bible many times through, a little home-church experience, and a lot of anointed spiritual books. Then, in 2005, I left church for three years because I was tired of hearing pop-psychology, old manna, and faithless sermons. (During all those years—and even beyond those years—I stayed connected with Sheldon David, through phone calls and visits. We both live in the same city now, as God continues to prepare all His sons around the world for the next move of God.) However, leaving church this time is because God has been saying that it is the right time for me to leave organized church, a concept of church that's going nowhere because of the deception and mixture, the way ministers rule over the people, and the way they continue to hold to laws, doctrines and traditions of men.
God doesn't want his church limited by man's programs, agendas, or the clock. Jesus wants us to be free, and to hear and see and experience the participation of all his children in prayer, worship and ministry. Setting in pews and looking up to a pulpit is very restrictive for many reasons. Other people need to be able to share what God is saying, instead of hearing just one man's opinions or insights. There also needs to be freedom of movement in worship, singing and dancing. People should meet in large groups only for special occasions, festival and holy days, That is why the early church met in homes and that is where God wants our "gatherings" to return. There are many anointed men who still set bad examples, yet the majority of Christians don't realize it. That's why Jesus said to the people, "Do as they [the religious leaders] say , but don't do as they do." Jesus taught his disciples by example, and explained to them that they were to serve, and not control or lord it over the people. Unfortunately, most ministers have misunderstood that passage of scripture, or don't know how to administrate it, or have chosen to ignore it; perhaps because ministers for generations have or that's the way they were taught by their religious institutions.
I love all the people at this little church and I believe God can and will use them. Hopefully someday they will see The Truth more clearly and will follow Jesus only. But, for now I must obey God and move toward fulfilling the call of ministry on my life. God has given me a heart for a lost and hurting world, a world that needs to know the truth and see the power of Christ's love. They also need to see that we are His Church, and not a building.
God doesn't want his church limited by man's programs, agendas, or the clock. Jesus wants us to be free, and to hear and see and experience the participation of all his children in prayer, worship and ministry. Setting in pews and looking up to a pulpit is very restrictive for many reasons. Other people need to be able to share what God is saying, instead of hearing just one man's opinions or insights. There also needs to be freedom of movement in worship, singing and dancing. People should meet in large groups only for special occasions, festival and holy days, That is why the early church met in homes and that is where God wants our "gatherings" to return. There are many anointed men who still set bad examples, yet the majority of Christians don't realize it. That's why Jesus said to the people, "Do as they [the religious leaders] say , but don't do as they do." Jesus taught his disciples by example, and explained to them that they were to serve, and not control or lord it over the people. Unfortunately, most ministers have misunderstood that passage of scripture, or don't know how to administrate it, or have chosen to ignore it; perhaps because ministers for generations have or that's the way they were taught by their religious institutions.
I love all the people at this little church and I believe God can and will use them. Hopefully someday they will see The Truth more clearly and will follow Jesus only. But, for now I must obey God and move toward fulfilling the call of ministry on my life. God has given me a heart for a lost and hurting world, a world that needs to know the truth and see the power of Christ's love. They also need to see that we are His Church, and not a building.
I have waited over 40 years for this ministry to begin. I have learned a lot in that time and I still don't feel smart or very spiritual. I have learned through my mistakes the wonderful grace of God. These things I know for sure—He loves me and I'm still made of dirt, but the spirit of the living God lives inside me. I was hoping to be younger when this began, but I wasn't ready. Now I know I'm totally dependent on His Spirit and on His strength to do anything. And it's not because of what I've done, but because I said, " Here am I, send me." It's all about God's love, his choices, and his timing (which is always perfect). I will trust in his reasoning. I'm still a little nervous, but also excited. I love living by faith even though it can be a little scary at times. There have been many benefits and blessings I have been given as to share with others in the years to come.
The cross is another story—the emotional pain was often more than I thought I could bear. At times I felt like I left Him or that He had left me, but He hadn't. However, God revealed something interesting one evening. Last December 31st, he said, "Your cross is what will lead many others to salvation, even after you're dead." It seemed to make sense now. (Just like Jesus experienced 2000 year ago.) I know there will still be a cross to carry, but it will be much easier to bear now, knowing the rewards.
The cross is another story—the emotional pain was often more than I thought I could bear. At times I felt like I left Him or that He had left me, but He hadn't. However, God revealed something interesting one evening. Last December 31st, he said, "Your cross is what will lead many others to salvation, even after you're dead." It seemed to make sense now. (Just like Jesus experienced 2000 year ago.) I know there will still be a cross to carry, but it will be much easier to bear now, knowing the rewards.
