The House That Love Built.
Many people feel a constant sense that their lives are not complete. Whether it’s their career, relationships, or materialistic goals, they can’t seem to attain a sense of satisfaction in their lives.
“There must be more to life than this!”
This question has been asked in every level of society. The reason we experience dissatisfaction with our current lives is because we are striving to satisfy a “supernatural” need within our “natural” world.
God created human beings to fellowship with Him. God is a Spirit and we are created in His image. We are not born with this knowledge; we have to hear it from someone and then develop the relationship ourselves. The more we learn about God, through His Word, the more we feel complete and begin to understand our purpose in life.
You may ask, “If what you say is true, how can I, take control of my life?” Pray and ask God to lead you to the best church family for you. God has a church family just for you. When you attend the “right” church for you, it is a duel benefit. You will receive supernaturally from God’s Word, and the church will benefit from God working through you.
If there is only one God that created heaven & earth, why do we see so many churches?
The buildings are where the different denominations meet. These diverse groups of people read God’s Word and may see Him differently. If the church is truly striving to teach the bible without compromising what they believe it to say, you will find it is a house of God.
The bible says in Genesis 28:16b “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God—the gateway to heaven!” (NLT) For me this is how I feel about Northern Light Ministries in Whitehorse and all of the Yukon. For you it may be here or it could be on the far side of the planet. If you truly follow your heart it will be where God has called you.
He does have specific plans for each one of us, including which church we are to attend. In Jeremiah 29:11-14 we read “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.” (NLT)
Christianity is a relationship with Jesus, not a religion. Within every church and denomination there are true Christians, but not necessarily every person in the denomination are Christian (will go to heaven).
Only those people who have by faith decided to believe God’s Word and all His promises - then acted on their belief will go to Heaven. Have you ever been truly home after only going through the gate? No, you must take the next step. You have to take action to enter your place of rest. The next steps are to learn what Jesus said and did for you, then believe and act on it. Only then can you finally be complete.
One of the purposes of the church is to help you find the gateway to heaven, which is Christ Jesus. The church is where the Word of God comes alive; it is the most exciting journey you will ever experience. Once you ask Jesus into your heart you walk through your “personal gateway”.
I have talked with some people that say, “I can read God’s Word at home and seek Him without going to church.” This is true, but when you are alone you fight every battle the world throws your way, the same way, alone.
A wolf does not attack the “flock” he attacks "the weak one or the loner", the one he knows he can take down. There is protection within the “flock”. In other words when we are attacked by “life” there is power in numbers. None of us are a “one man army” battles are won by people working together – “as one”.
God has called the pastors for a specific purpose – to help you succeed in life and to fulfil the plan He has for you. In Ephesians 4:11-15 we read “He (Christ Jesus) is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. (NLT)
The true church is the body of Christ. Those people that choose to “take Him at His Word” and act on what they believe. Yes there are differences between how the different churches introduce you to Jesus. The important thing is what you do after this introduction.
Remember don’t judge the house from the outside. It may be more than you can imagine. Jesus said in John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”(NLT)
Submission by
Pastor Dale
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