I wanted to look at the book of Acts because I always hear about how different the Church is today compared to the early Church. Armed with some lessons from Hans Peter and my Bible, God has already been putting things on my heart!
It’s something we’ve all heard before; the Church isn’t the building, it’s the people inside the building. Take this deeper though, and this you’ve heard as well, wherever you go you bring Jesus with you. You don’t go to “church†(the building) to meet with God; He’s with you wherever you go, YOU bring the Church wherever you go. Does your version of Church change throughout the week? What does it look like with your co-workers? How about around your friends? Does it differ from your church attitude on Sunday? I ask these questions because if your version of church is simply changing your attitude you are missing it completely and God is not with you. It’s about God working through you to change your heart, it’s not about you following some rules.
Back To Basics by Brandon Peters
You see, when we have a true relationship with God our life is actually changed. And do you know when this shows? Not when you’re around other people pretending to be nice or when you’re at church singing songs. It’s when you’re all alone. When nobody’s watching are you really the same person? Do you really have it figured out? Or is it all a show?
The reason this message is on my heart is because this used to be me. I knew all the right answers and I knew how to act. But I still struggled because it was taking all my effort and underneath it all the show was wearing me out. The scariest part is that I don’t know if I was actually a Christian at this time. Probably the place that Satan wants us most is where we think we are saved, when we think we have it figured out. Then we don’t worry about it and live our life like it’s all good, but really we’re on the path to destruction.
Having a true intimate relationship with God changes your entire life. Do you struggle being nice to everyone? Do you struggle with sin and addiction? Are you missing out on the joy of following Christ? Whatever it is, God can change your heart. It’s not a matter of you working at these things, although you will still face and fight temptation, but God makes it actually possible to live pure. When we try to do things on our own we can’t do it, this is just further proof that we really do need Him. The beauty is that we don’t have to do it because He’ll take care of it for us 🙂
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.†Acts 1:8
4 thoughts on “Back to Basics”
Jesus is the very breath we breathe, how much of Him we allow to consume us, will determine how much we will know of Him God bless you
we need to get back to basics and pray when no one is looking and build that engagement with God nice post and i like what you said that God is always with us and that church is where we are and God changes the heart. Great post
Yes, we do need Him to guide us. We can’t do it on our own, even if we mean good by it.
Amen Brandon. its not about religion or rules. it truly is about a heart and hunger and deep desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. hes not just our SAVIOR….. hes our LORD! So many bear cross necklaces around their neck. So few will take up there cross and follow the Lord because theyd rather try to bear someone elses than to bear their own and go get their own oil. Relationship and intimacy means spending time with HiM. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Thats what my bible says and its True 🙂