- Signs of the Kingdom, Part XXIX
We can be assured when we seek God, He is not boring and where we find Him will not be boring. If our church life is boring, we can be sure we got off track somewhere, and our focus is not on the right place.
The encounters God had with His people in Scripture are the most exciting and interesting portions of Scripture. They also brought radical change to those who experienced them. If we are truly meeting with God in our services, they will not be boring, and we will be changed.
However, even when Israel had God with them after leaving Egypt in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, they still traveled through some rough, dry places. Yet it was in that wilderness where Israel saw some of His greatest works and learned to know Him and His ways. Likewise, churches can travel through rough, dry places without being dry. If we seek and keep our focus on Him, we will have living water flowing from within and the most refreshing times in the driest places.
All the works of God in Scripture are exciting. When we see God use someone to do His works, it is a most exciting experience. Yet it’s even more exciting when the Lord uses us to do His works. It’s thrilling to see God use the least likely people, then see what He does in their lives.
Great gatherings can be exciting and edifying, but seeing God do something is more so. Getting to know Him and learn His ways can be even more exciting and life-changing. In our gatherings, we are either being drawn to Him or to people, to the temple of the Lord, or to the Lord of the temple. What good is the most glorious temple if God is not in it? No matter how glorious it is, the temple itself is not our focus when God is in His temple.
Our Lord was born in a stable, but He also dwelt in one of the most expensive buildings ever constructed. So, we should never rule out finding Him in either, but we want to find Him and not just good music, preaching, teaching, or signs and wonders. These are all great, but when these become our focus, we are experiencing His blessings and not Him. Ultimately, His greatest blessings will not satisfy us, only Him.
So, be thankful for all His blessings but also know there is more and keep seeking that. The Lord always saves His best wine for last, and we are living in the times when those who thirst for this will receive it.
Even if we are not here to receive the best wine when it comes, there is great reward in helping prepare the way for those who will. Those who seek, find. Our seeking will pay off. Never give up. However, in church life we must discern whether we are joined to those who seek Him, or to those who are content with less. We will share in the inheritance with whomever we are joined.
That being said, we should never leave a fellowship until we have found another where we fit better and the Lord has led us. The Lord places us in His body as He pleases (see I Corinthians 12:18). Of this we can be assured.
How we leave a body of His people is also critical. We are called from glory to glory, not failure to failure. We should always leave because God is calling us to something higher, not just because we are disgruntled and dissatisfied. Make sure you are following the Lord and not impatience or dissatisfaction.
© 2023 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved
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