But, what really matters to each and every one of us is our own joy in the LORD and the strength of His might. Our love and enthusiasm tends to grow cold -- especially when we do not renew our spirits by dwelling in His Word. The cares of the world are certainly choking Jesus out of many people's busy lives.
It used to be that you could get to church on Sunday for a time of refreshing away from the pressure of daily life; sing the praises of our God; enjoy the sweet fellowship of the saints; listen to an uplifting message and the Word rightly divided. You would leave church pumped up on Jesus, ready to take on the world.
During this time of the Great Apostasy though, church is more often a time for some motivational speech by a narcissistic guy who thinks too highly of himself, or a monotone bland packaged sermon from a lectionary delivered by a guy on salary.
We cannot expect the preacher or teacher to do for us what only God can do -- that work in our hearts as we are filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized in His love. The renewal we seek will not be found at the next 'wave' in the church. We cannot look to some man or program to breathe life into our groggy spirits anymore than we can blame others for our own indifference.
It's time to get back to that personal relationship each of us has with Jesus. There's no middle-man. There's no intercessor between us and Him. We are instructed to 'abide' in Christ. Cast our cares upon Him. Trust in Him. Commit our way unto the LORD.
No one can do that for us.
"Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
- Psalms 37:3-5
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."
-- Phil 4:4-5
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