There is an old saying... "If you have to invite someone to church, don't bother". That may seem odd but think of this example from Jesus ministry, who we are to follow. He did not publicise his ministry, in fact, he did the opposite. He encouraged silence!
There seem two truths at play here.
First, Jesus helped people out of his compassion. He offered what he could, health and deliverance, toease suffering. He met their needs out of his kind heart. He could not say no! It was not a membership drive, was no advertising, was no plan to get people to listen, was no motive other than compassion. We should follow his example... Serve others. Meet their needs out of pure love and compassion. Not church building, not with numbers in mind, just pure compassion for suffering.
Second, meeting peoples need brought the crowds to Jesus! They overwhelmed to the point he could not even enter a town! The lesson here is that if we meet others needs, crowds will come automatically. Truly meeting needs is unique, and draws a crowd. People are full of needs to be met.
The saints of today, the churches of today, would do well to heed this lesson. Crowds come when needs are met. If we forgot about all the advertising and programs and entertainment and enticement, instead just met true needs with true solutions from above, out of a pure heart of compassion, our churches would be overwhelmed with crowds. Not offering man's wisdom that is a dime a dozen, but true healing, true deliverance, true help... As Jesus did. If we are unable to offer true help from above, our goal should be seeking god until "clothed with power from on high" so that we can walk as Jesus did.
Advertising is not the answer... Righteousness, power, compassion, love. Those are the answer to a hurting world.
Jesus prayed, and prayed constantly. He continually left the crowds, the ministry, the disciples to find a secluded spot to be alone with his father. When things got tough, he prayed.
Our personal journey is not a journey of ministry, it is a journey of relationship with our father. What we do must always remain secondary to who we are. It is the relationship that gives us strength, purpose, clarity, peace. No teaching, seminar, church service, book, or any action can fill the need for quiet secluded prayer... Alone with our saviour and creator.
Too often we look elsewhere for peace and strength. Too often we think there is something we can "do" to be more successful in life. Too often we turn to man's ways. God's way is just to be. To be quiet in his presence and let his holy spirit envelope us in peace, clothe us with power, fill us with wisdom. It's all him, nothing of us.
Life is relationship not works, not actions, and it starts with our personal relationship with Jesus. It starts in our secluded place alone with our father, just like Jesus. It starts in the still of the morning, walking and talking in the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses.
Spend time alone with Jesus every day, seeking the father, seeking his ways, and see what god will do to your life!
No more waiting!People have always been waiting. Those in Jesus day were waiting for a messiah to restore Israel, in Moses day they waited for a deliverer from slavery, in David's day they waited for a righteous king. Today, many are waiting... Waiting for a better job, another book, a new speaker, a different church, a revelation of some sort...But Jesus declared, it is done! The time is now!Today... It's here! The very kingdom of heaven has been opened to us! All that is left to do is to repent and believe. That's it!
The only time Jesus spoke of waiting is when he said to wait for the Holy Ghost before ministry. Wait for the comforter to be given... And that too has been done!
We are ready, you need of nothing! The kingdom of heaven is open to you, right now. The peace that passes all understanding, being clothed with power from on high, walking with God in the garden, overcoming our past, living a clean victorious life, speaking on Gods behalf with authority, walking each day in power at peace, its all here right now!
We live in a blessed time, when all is finished! Now the ball is in our court... Just repent, believe in Jesus, and live the life God intended!nothing stands in our way, except perhaps us.
