Back to Church?

This past week, I visited a church that I've wanted to visit for some time now. Wednesday night they had a worship service that I really wanted to experience. I have missed corporate worship. I love to worship, at least I did. This past year has been one with plenty of ups and downs. An emotional, stress-filled roller coaster. I haven't enjoyed attending church or small group. I'd go to church but I really wasn't excited about it. I've heard that worship is a "heart" issue--nothing to do with the song. However, I feel both are important. Wednesday night worship was amazing. I enjoyed it so much. Sunday afternoon's service turned into another night of worship. I was so excited to be going to church. I haven't felt like that in months. I've been watching the podcasts from the past few weeks on the "Musts" for believers. We "must" be filled with the Holy Spirit, we "must" preach the good news to the poor, we "must" heal the broken hearted, we "must" free the captives and the oppressed, we "must" help with the recovery of the blind. From Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  I was looking forward to hearing this last message, however the Holy Spirit was leading in another way. This was what I truly needed and have truly missed. Thank you Jesus for meeting me. What a blessing. Can't wait to go back.

James

Last night, I chatted with a young girl that I’ve never met and I’ve never chatted with, though I’ve known her family for years. She asked if I would read James 2--she said it was “awesome”. She also mentioned that James 1:2-4 were some of her favorite verses and wondered if I had any to share. I shared one of my favorites from James 1:27 that mentions the religion that God accepts as pure and faultless--to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. I told her I would read her verses later. However, I was drawn to read the verses from the first chapter of James and it hit me, it brought tears to my eyes. It says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” We’ve all had trials of one sort or the other. I’ve had my share as well. However, how many times have I considered it pure joy? Usually when it happens I tend to get a little hysterical in the beginning--either verbally or inwardly. I realize I need to “give thanks in all things” but it is sometimes hard. Our faith can get us through. Verse 12 says: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Because “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (vs. 17) 

The more I read, the more interested I became. I’ve read the book of James before and it is one of my favorites but I was given a challenge and just trying to follow through. Plus, the pastor will be speaking on James for the next few weeks. I’ll see what he has to say. Interestingly, since writing the above, the pastor spoke on James 1:1-8 and verse 12 (mentioned above a week or so ago). 

GO

A year ago, I wouldn't have thought of ever "going" anyplace, to help anyone again. However, my heart has changed. I've given God "a little bit of elbow room" in my life and I still need to and want to give Him a little more room. Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready for my day, a song often sung at Christmas time came to mind: "Children Go Where I Send Thee". The first verse says Children go where I send thee--how shall I send thee--I'm gonna send thee one by one, one for the little bitty baby, was born, born, born in Bethlehem." That got me thinking. I should be going for the little bitty baby born in Bethlehem, not just for "me". When I first thought about that verse, I was thinking He was sending me to the babies of the world, FOR the "baby of the world". Which does make sense doesn't it? His true religion is to visit the orphans and widows. (James 1:27) As I thought about the song mentioning "born in Bethlehem", I thought I need to "go" to Him first and foremost. I need to go to the baby in Bethlehem.
John 15:16 mentions "you did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go..."
Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ's. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. If God chose me, and appointed me, then I need to make sure He is in all that I do.
With Haiti weighing heavy on my mind, and in the thoughts and prayers of many around the world, I feel like I want to do something. Right now I can pray. I can also give. Perhaps someday I can go. Or maybe go to another place. I need to wait on Him. "Expect Christ to come--not in a particular way--but to come." I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I'll wait and see what He shows me.
I see in Galatians an amazing promise: 1:15, 16--"But when God, who set me apart from birth, and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles." I'll keep thinking and praying.