The church over centuries has a mixed reputation of revealing God’s love, be it a quiet holiness, a religious pattern, or a joyful celebration. You have come to realise since the Alpha Course a year ago that God is holy, awesome and righteous and anything you do that isn’t glorifying to Him is sin, and that includes your thoughts! The more you press into a daily relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the more aware you are of the need to bring honour to His name in every activity of your life.
The choir was a prime example of the Lord showing you His ways are not yours. Their enthusiasm does bring more life to the Sunday worship, and incredibly in the last few months the congregation has tripled, and the choir doubled to three rows at the back on both sides of the aisle. The members have been a source of friendships, but those joining have questioned Fred’s abilities, which has caused rifts between the different people groups, bringing criticism and gossip rather than acceptance. You have tried explaining that despite the problems Fred’s ways have benefited church growth. Therefore, last month, after a Sunday service it had been very upsetting to be taken aside by the elders and told they felt you were undermining the choir. Shocked, you had tried to clarify the situation and protested that your words had been misconstrued. You backed Fred’s purpose and vision, and he knew that.
Once home, by taking your angst and hurt to the Lord, you saw how easily the world’s views encroach upon your actions and reactions. Often your behaviour doesn’t honour God, and you know the Lord says, He honours those who honour Him. Mary’s words, spoken several days ago come to mind. She said that choices always bring consequences. Even our wrong choices can be transformed to good if we turn from them and humble ourselves before the Father. And it is best to keep a close account of your words and actions, by learning to recognise and acknowledge those before God.”
Word: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (AMP)
Worship: “I Need You More” Kim Walker Smith Bethel Music 9 mins