Today we looked at David’s worship of God as the Ark – the presence of God – was brought into Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 6:14-15 - 14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
Are you excited to be in the presence of God?
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
7 comments:
Excited to be in the presence of God - yes. Excited about going to church - no.
I've had to learn how to be in God's presence regardless of where I find myself. In many respects, no longer going to church has turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me, and has provided opportunities for me to learn without being influence by corporate thinking or peer pressure.
I'm so sorry Anonymous 8:43 has found that not attending church is a good thing for them. Church is not perfect and at times people do get hurt.
I have found that church is the place I desire to be - with fellow Christian brothers and sisters striving to grow and follow Christ more perfectly. We're not perfect for sure. I pray we all are striving.
I agree that we need to learn beyond the walls of the church. If all we ate was one or two meals a week we would be pretty weak.
As a pastor, I apologize to Anonymous 8:43 for the pain they have experienced and pledge to do what I can to keep that from becoming a reality for those at Mt. Oak.
I might have a slanted view, but I enjoy coming to work and I enjoy coming to worship on Sundays. I get pumped to be with the body of Christ at Mt. Oak.
How about some others???
How does anony. 8:43 explain Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Should we not encourage one another, even more as pain and persecution comes along?
Anonymous 1:02, of course Christians should, but do they in practice? In my experience, Christians are notorious for "eating their young" so to speak.
It's one thing to walk away from a church, it's another thing to be told that you're no longer welcome there.
Thank God for Jesus Christ who makes God's presence accessible to every man, woman, and child no matter the day, time, or place by the way of the Holy Spirit!
I've experienced the presence of God show up during a one-on-one encounter; another time within a family doing a devotion together; yet another when 2 or 3 saints decided to sit and just wait on the Lord in a house basement; and even another on a Sunday morning at church when a bigger number of saints came ready and expectant to meet with the Savior King!
Am I excited to be in the presence of God? Ooooh Chyeauuh!! Because when He comes accepting our invitation to meet, He's ready to DO or SAY something! That's when words are spoken, lives are restored, and someone finds truth in the Gospel!
It's at these times that I remember the truth of a Holy, Heavenly God not only wanting to save lowly and earthly me but also wanting a relationship with me, walking and conversing with me all the way!
Anonymous 1:59 pm - I'm so sorry you have had bad experiences with a church family.
I mentioned Sunday that judgment has no place in the church and if you have been judged in the past, I'm sorry. If you were told there was no place for you in a church, I'm sorry.
As long as I am pastor at Mt. Oak (and I can't speak for or control all or any of the members but I hope they agree) we will be open to all persons and strive to help them find fulfillment in their journey with Christ.
If you live near Mt. Oak - give her a try. If she is the church where you experienced this rejection in the past, forgive and try again. She is a different church, we pray we are always growing.
If you live out of the area, I pray you will find a place that will encourage you, even if you think you are just fine without it. I believe Christianity is not a solo sport so to speak but a group activity. Monks are rare, we are called to be in community. We are not meant to be an island.
My recommendation is to forgive and try again. Try again at the church that hurt you or another if it is too painful to return to the one that hurt you. Leadership and people change.
My two cents.
i find the worship at mt oak to be very uplifting. i feel closer to god when i attend worship.
i am new to mt oak but i know a good church when i see one.
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