Friday, March 13, 2009

Is this a picture of the Church in America today?

I posted these scriptures on my facebook the other day, but just needed to share them here too!

Ezekiel 33: 30-32
As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, 'Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.' My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
God knows your heart. You may be able to fool others, but you cannot fool him
1 Chronicles 28:9
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Galatians 6:7 & 8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Isaiah 55: 6 & 7
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Is our worship of God genuine? Do we look at him as a genie in a bottle to give us what we want, but when things get tough we turn our back on Him? Are we TRULY seeking him and desiring a relationship with him? Or are we just going through the religious motions, saying the things we think we should be saying to make us sound more pious? I have been thinking of the work "seek" lately.
Deuteronomy 4:28-30
There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
God does not want your religiosity, he wants YOU! He wants you to trust him, love him, and desire to know him and walk with him!
If you do, life will be so much richer and more full. Filled with a joy and peace that cannot be explained! Worship flows from there!

6 comments:

Mocha with Linda said...

Great words. I have had similar thoughts this week after reading some scriptures.

Mari said...

Great passages and I'm afraid it does describe the church in America far too frequently.

Erica said...

Your writing makes me want to find a new church, but really it start's within in me!

Denise said...

Amen.

Susannah said...

Amen! He wants US! He wants us to trust Him. Excellent verses. You preach it, sis!

Praise and Coffee said...

I think we might be kindred spirits girl! :)