Relationship...Relationship..Relationship

 Christ gave his life for the church and said the gates of hell will not prevail against it. He is its cornerstone and foundation stone. The Word shows us explicitly clear how the Lord loves His church and desires to bless it. However, in the letters to the Churches in Revelation, a more fearful picture of Christ appears to His people. The author of John is the same John that laid on Jesus' bosom and yet he falls on his face as dead before the Lord as he received this revelation from God. He sees Christ in His glorified state. The Word says, 'All the churches know that I Am He who searches the minds and hearts. And, I will give to each one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23) In the days of Revelation as today, the Lord comes to confront so that they maybe cleansed and made clean in His Presence. In the Letters to the Churches, He shows that He sees and delivers both an uplifting message and a sharp warning at the same time. Let's look at Revelation 2: l-7...'To the angel of the assembly of Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, says these things: I know your works, your labor and your patience, and that you cannot bear those who do evil. And, you have tested those who say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them to be liars. You have endured, and have been patient, and for My sake have labored and have not grown weary. But, I have something against you, that you have abandoned the love you had for me at the first. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your candlestick from the place unless you repent. But, this you have. You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him that overcomes I will give permission to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.' Can you imagine what the pastor at Ephesus must have thought at that judgment? Repent, or our witness for Christ will be removed? This just couldn't be possible! After all, we've been faithful. We've been loving, caring, and giving. What will my congregation think about this? Yet, Christ here is looking for a purified Bride to set a shining example to others of a truly godly congregation. What could the Lord be saying? Your love for me has changed. Many senior members have even shared with the new, on fire believers, that, not to worry, that burning fire will go in time and doing good works will quickly replace that intimacy that you have felt for God. The church does so many wonderful things in Christ's name. We have many charitable programs that we do. We attempt to live a clean, upright life, careful to not do wrong. At one time, these same people were truly devoted to spending quality time with the Lord. But, along the way, these times have changed into being too busy going to the next church function or outreach program, voting on important issues of the church without seeking the true face of God and His direction. But, in going that route, in the things which we have done, there is one terrible result of all our 'good works' for Him. The ultimate and true Presence of the Lord has been left behind. Jesus says that 'something has been lost in My church and that is My Awesome Presence. All these works and programs and outreaches must come out of our secret prayer closet. We must examine our individual lives and make Jesus first in our lives once more or ultimately, everything will end up just being human works not by the unction of the Holy Spirit working through us. It's time to renew our relationship with Christ. For, it isn't what we do 'for' Christ that matters. It is what we do 'with' Christ working His good pleasure through us. Think on these things. We go to church every Sunday, hear a good sermon, give the Lord that time, and then leave the church going back to living our daily lives. People feel no need to come back to the Lord with a broken and contrite heart, asking for His mercy and forgiveness for leaving Him out of our lives, no cry to the Lord to look into our hearts and fill us once again with His very Presence in our lives for a lost world to see. John the Baptist said it most assuredly..'I become less and less and He must become more and more.' (John 30:30). Christ is calling out to us today as He did then. He is telling us that He is knocking at our heart's door. He is calling out to you to come and commune with Him as you did at first, when the fire blazed in your heart. Power from God only comes as we come together and fellowship with Jesus. It is all about 'Relationship...Relationship...Relationship'. Ephesians 3:20...Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly then all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us. Amen.

 AWAKENING UNTO GOD..IN PERSON, PRESENCE, AND POWER As Christians, we are clear to the reality that we serve one Lord and God in three Persons in the Godhead...God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. However, if we were asked, how would we do in explaining the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Sadly, I would have to say that for quite some time that church teachings and culture had a lot to do with what I knew and didn't know about just how the Holy Spirit works in our lives". As I had a deep desire to know ALL that God was and had available to me, I wanted to grow in the deeper knowledge of Him and who the last part of the Trinity was. "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by You, declares the Lord..."Jeremiah 29: l3-14. After the miracles of the incarnation, the resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost, the greatest miracle came as the Holy Spirit invaded our dark, inprisoned hearts being transformed from the Kingdom of Darkness in the Kingdom of Light...(Colossians l: 1-3). That empty void was filled with the very Presence of God from on high into weak and broken vessels like you and me. As we yield to His Presence in our lives, He fills us with His very Presence, Power, and reveals Himself through our broken lives to others. The Person of God, Himself, through the Holy Spirit dwells in us instead of temples made of stone but now of flesh. We can know God on a daily basis living and working through our lives. He has feelings. He has emotions. He has a will for our lives. He has a nature...such as... * He walks with us (Galations 5:25). * He speaks to us (l Corinthisna 2:l0, l4:1). * He lives in us forever (John l4:l6). * He comforts us. (John l4:l6). * He counsels us (John l4:26). * He teaches us (John l4:26). * He reminds us (John l4:26). * He leads us (Galations 5:l8). * He helps us to pray (Romans 8:26). * He reveals truth to us (I Corinthians 2:l0). * He cleanses us (Titus 3:5). * He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). * He gives us life (2 Corinthians 3:6). * He gives us many great gifts (Romans l2, I Corinthains l2, Ephesians 4). * He anoints and fills us with God's agape love (Romans 5:5). I admonish you to seek God's very Presence through the Holy Spirit. Seek to deepen your knowledge and understanding of His Person, His Ways, and power. Allow Him to fill you to the full today! And, remember, the Holy Spirit is the very Person of God living inside you as a light and over-flowing fountain into a world of deep darkness. Humble yourself and yield to Him! You will be as a light standing on a hill for all to see as you yield to His Presence in your life! Hallelujiah!

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