The building is not the church. It's not that Jesus, nor I, for that matter, desire to keep anyone out of the church; but, more important than our close-knit assemblies with one another, God desires for us to be even closer with Him. Like Jesus, I want to see the assembly reconvened in righteousness, and not just for ritual sake alone. Come correct. But . . .
"How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
The willingness, about which Jesus refers, has nothing to do with symbolism at the command and enforcement of man; but, the submissiveness of the church to operate according to God's stipulations.
“But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me, O Israel. You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices."
Far too often, especially in this generation, the church is more concerned with her appearance, neglecting, as scripture says, the weightier matters of the body and soul of God’s sheep; seemingly neither understanding nor even caring that, not only do gentiles bear witness; but, first and foremost God sees all. God knows the very intent of the heart. The church, and the nation that taunts His name, often swears by the gold, meaning: more emphasis is placed on the offering and the collecting thereof, rather than the God whom, not only makes the offering possible, but likewise blesses it: In other words, God knows whether the offering is being used for His purpose or for man's self-indulgence. HE KNOWS.
"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
When man gets in a rush, it oftentimes results in disaster. In scriptural terms, the church and/or nation can end up with a Saul scenario where impatience resulted in narcissistic, jealous-hearted leadership; or even in a Pharaoh situation, where a self-serving, dictatorial leader forced laborers to work without PPE, I mean straw (had to go there). But when we determine in our hearts, both church and nation, that come hell or high water, we are persuaded to do the will of God, He (not man) will open, even the doors of the church, which no man can close, and close the doors of division and favoritism, especially on Sunday mornings, at the 11:00 o'clock hour, which no man can open. ONE BODY.
So why wait?
Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Therefore, wait on the LORD, hallow Him, for He will be as a sanctuary.
❤
"How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
The willingness, about which Jesus refers, has nothing to do with symbolism at the command and enforcement of man; but, the submissiveness of the church to operate according to God's stipulations.
“But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me, O Israel. You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices."
Far too often, especially in this generation, the church is more concerned with her appearance, neglecting, as scripture says, the weightier matters of the body and soul of God’s sheep; seemingly neither understanding nor even caring that, not only do gentiles bear witness; but, first and foremost God sees all. God knows the very intent of the heart. The church, and the nation that taunts His name, often swears by the gold, meaning: more emphasis is placed on the offering and the collecting thereof, rather than the God whom, not only makes the offering possible, but likewise blesses it: In other words, God knows whether the offering is being used for His purpose or for man's self-indulgence. HE KNOWS.
"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
When man gets in a rush, it oftentimes results in disaster. In scriptural terms, the church and/or nation can end up with a Saul scenario where impatience resulted in narcissistic, jealous-hearted leadership; or even in a Pharaoh situation, where a self-serving, dictatorial leader forced laborers to work without PPE, I mean straw (had to go there). But when we determine in our hearts, both church and nation, that come hell or high water, we are persuaded to do the will of God, He (not man) will open, even the doors of the church, which no man can close, and close the doors of division and favoritism, especially on Sunday mornings, at the 11:00 o'clock hour, which no man can open. ONE BODY.
So why wait?
Those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Therefore, wait on the LORD, hallow Him, for He will be as a sanctuary.
❤
