HAVE YOU SEEN OR HEARD ANY HYPOCRITES TODAY?
I HAVE!
AND: HERE IT IS EASTER!
I have a good message for those of you who absolutely don’t want to go to church: Easter, or any other day.
I understand! Better yet: GOD UNDERSTANDS!
This article is specifically written for people who never want to go to church, who never want to do that proverbial thing: darken the doorstep of a church.
God and I understand! I am Christian, I am sold-out to God. I am uncompromising because God’s Word is true.
Selah.
And yet…
God, my Father, and I (and many other Christians) understand why…
Silly me, back in the day of my churchless life, one of the things I hated was organ music. It sounded more to me like funeral music. Still does. By the by, I don’t like the majority of the music at my church either. It’s purposefully been geared to young people and I couldn’t disagree more. It should be a variety. I’m right. Granted, there are things I don’t like about church services. But I love church – the house of God! No man nor woman is infallible – only God Almighty! So, being wise as the Berean Jews, when I don’t know if the pastor is right, I check with the only infallible, inerrant, God-breathed source: the Bible!
Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Selah.
But as for you folks who don’t have any inclination of worshipping God at a church building (Beloved: please remember the Church is Jesus as the Head and His believers as His body; not the people who say they are Christian, but those who live up to God’s standards. Those would be those who confess and possess Christ and show their faith through works. In other words, they, like me, are no phonies. The church building is a place specifically built for worshipping our God of the Bible.
NOTE: there are many false churches. Beware!
I fully realize you have more than just one good reason not to go. But go. I myself have thought about not going; about watching on-line. I tell you, it’s not the same. Sometimes I even know the man preaching (we have our main pastors and visiting and fill-ins) is wrong. That is why I am thankful I check all things with the Teacher, the Christ. I am noble:
Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Why do I go to church? God says so. He tells us:
Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
And I want to! The anointing is there. Yes, God is everywhere. But getting together with other believers (again, I say believers) is special! Just think how it’s going to be to live together in Heaven when we are all at peace!
I KNOW WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO GO.
It can be uncomfortable, awkward. You will see jerks there who come every week! You will see cliques like way back in junior high! Some people may ignore you. And, after a wonderful sermon there will be times when some yokel may speak on things, denying the truths of what the pastor just said! Some examples I’ve experienced is God’s healing. I’m ready, willing and do fight the good fight and correct them! But I shouldn’t have to…
Church is for everybody! Church is Jesus, the head of it, and we children of God. The Church is precious!
Just remember, precious people, not all who say who they are – are what they say. Some people come for business contacts; some for nice conversation. And please believe me, some come to deliberately disrupt the Kingdom!
Go to God’s house and hold your head up high! Be who He says you are and know that He never lies.
AND REMEMBER: the Father loves the sinners, the fakes, the phonies, the hypocrites. And maybe: some day they’ll change!
Growing up in a home without the love for God, an invalid father, heavy financial hardships, and tremendous (sometimes dangerous) discord is always difficult. Add on to that extreme shyness, a feeling of inferiority, and some may think this girl was rejected. But God’s hand was on her and His heart was for her. Today, Ann Marie Turner has performed many great services in Jesus’ name for the love of God and man; and for herself! She has ministered in the male correctional for over ten years. Along with this website, Ann is the author of Joy Stories, Volume One and The Free Incarcerated Man. Writing about the joy of the Lord and the victory that is available for a willing soul is one of Ann’s now greatest joys! Ann’s prayer for you is to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Celebrate the God of the Bible and your personal victories in Christ unceasingly! Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.