“But the Most High God does not live in houses built by human hands. This is what the prophet writes:

‘The Lord says, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is where I rest my feet. So do you think you can build a house for me? Do I need a place to rest? Remember, I made all these things!’” Acts 7:48-50

I believe that the reason so many people are dissatisfied with church today is because they are expecting it to be something it was not meant to be. Let me explain what I mean by that.

Have you ever gone to an Italian restaurant? What you find on the menu is just that; Italian cuisine. If you’re expecting a hamburger and fries, you’ll be very disappointed because that’s not what they offer. It’s like looking for meat at a vegetarian restaurant. It’s not likely so don’t expect it.

The ‘church’ was never meant to be the place we bring our unsaved friends to meet God. Jesus showed us that when He sent His disciples into the surrounding villages to bring miracles to those who needed them most. We’ve become so brainwashed into ‘bringing the lost so they can find Jesus’, that we forget our place in the world.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18

Why did He say these things? Because it’s never been about staying in comfort and having a pastor do it for us. It’s always been about knowing the powerful God that dwells in these temples not made by hands, and simply relying on His power to manifest through us to save, heal and deliver those around us in our marketplace, our workplaces and our communities where we live. We were made to be light in a dark place, daily, people in darkness should be drawn to the light in us.

Jesus taught His disciples and sent them out. They weren’t perfect! They didn’t feel ready. They weren’t sure what to say or how to do it, but they had His example and they followed it. When they came back to report to Jesus, they were excited because miracles followed them. How about that! God actually did what He said He would do!

Please don’t go to church expecting God to ‘show up and show off’. That should be happening everyday in and through you as you just go about your business. When you begin to exalt and worship God at home, your light will burn brighter because you’ve taken the time to magnify Him. You must decrease so He can increase in you. When you remain hidden, you’ll be surprised at what happens around you.

Be the church you were meant to be, where worship is not a show and no one but God hears you and is intimate with you. Let His presence speak louder than words.

Sandy G