Preparation for church is undergo. We dress in our best clothing and try to appear 'put together'. Upon arrival, we praise God for His blessings in our lives, and ask each other if they need prayers.
Have you ever seen this? Within the church you hear constant glorification of Yahweh, but when you leave it seems the disguises of many come off. It's as though they strip off the garments of 'His Will' and go back to their comfortable 'My Will' sweatpants! Don't get me wrong, been there-done that. I am still guilty of this. But as my fingers click on my keypad, I feel God calling me to speak about this issue.
Who decided that faith was only necessary in church? When Jesus (His Hebrew name, Yeshua) lived on this earth with us, did He only praise God's name in the temple? No! His whole life was based on His faith, and His actions that strove to prove it. James 1:22 says "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves". We are called to do more than just hear God's word, we are called to LIVE it. How do you become doers of the word, you ask? Well! Just a few verses down, James talks about having faith in works (doing good towards those who have nothing). James talks about prayer for someone in need being no good when actions could have been given to aid them (Read James 2:14-17).
For a long time, I thought I could live the way I wanted to, and also keep a good relationship with God.
I realized after sin started running my life, that no, you cannot have both your will AND God's will. So please, let God be a part of EVERY part of your life. Do not limit your relationship with Him to just Church. Live your life the way Yeshua taught and asked us to live it. When you see a person experiencing homelessness or someone struggling, don't just pass by. Reach out.
"For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."-James 2:26
Amen
