If someone says to you that you are not a Child of God—a Born-Again Believer because you don’t attend a particular church, don’t let those words affect you. Don’t let them in your boat. You are and will always be a Child of God, unless you personally chose to reject Him. Last week God gave me a vision in which I saw the earth in the darkness of space. There were specks of lights throughout its surface. There are no words—it was mesmerizingly beautiful. I knew in my spirit that these lights represented all Believers on earth. You see, we are all part of the body of Christ, the Church of Christ, unified in one Spirit, the Spirit of the living God. We are all temples of the Holy Spirit, carriers of His Glory to the world. That is what I saw. God does not see for example Mark as Pentecostal or Judy as Protestant; He sees the light of Christ in all Believers, regardless of where you attend, or where
you are. You are not saved by going to church, you are saved because you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and He does good works through you, transforming you everyday to be His light to the world.
Fellowship is so important amongst the Believers. Fellowship with others (either in church, smaller groups or with one or two people), encourages and helps us in our walk. We are there for each other. It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Sharing your testimony, sharing what God has done in your life, can uplift and inspire people. Your testimony can be the instrument by which the Holy Spirit stirs the hearts of many unto repentance and salvation through Jesus.
It says in the Word that when two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is there with them (whether in a small group or church). When we praise and worship Him alone in our homes or with others, He is there. In Psalm 22:3 (KJV) “God inhabits the Praises of His People.” I have often felt the tangible presence of God upon me while praising and worshipping Him at the piano. In those moments, I am filled with His peace and love. When you feel anxious inside, troubled by what is happening in the world, troubled by the hardships that you are going through, praise and worship God. Put the music on and sing (with or without music). Even if you think you can’t sing….SING. Music from a humble servant’s heart brings His presence.
We also need to be mindful that there are many spiritually wounded Believers that have chosen not to return to Church, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t love God or have stopped serving Him. Many have fellowship with others on a smaller scale, confiding in only a few people that they trust. Some listen to teachers and preachers online and receive much from the Holy Spirit. They are Believers in exile, gradually healing from their wounds. We should be careful not to judge them because we don’t know their hearts and what they have been through. Our responsibility as Believers is to love and uplift them in our prayers and be there for them with an understanding heart.
God wants a personal relationship with every single person on earth, no matter where they are. Why? Because He loves us so much! He loves you so much that He will move heaven and earth to get your attention. Those are very powerful words from a Mighty God. HE LOVES YOU. He wants no one to be cast away from Him, but He has given us free will. To accept His Son as our Savior or to reject Him. It says in Psalm 103:15 (NLT) that our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.” We will all someday die, but this one question remains: What will God say when you stand before Him. Will He say, “Welcome my child or depart from me, I never knew you.”
I pray that we will all run and finish the race well! God Bless! -CC-
