Wherefore ( as the Holy Ghost saith). TO DAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDENED NOT YOUR HEART, AS IN THE PROVOCATION, IN THE DAYS OF TEMPTATION, IN THE WILDERNESS:
HEBREWS 3 : 7 - 8
Men try to lift themselves, but there is no inspiration in that. But when you are lifted by the Spirit, when you are taken on with God, things all come into perfection harmony, and you go forth right on to victory.
To be lifted by the Spirit is our objective. If we are lifted by the beauty of the singing, the special effects and lighting, the grandeur of the choir, the enthusiasm of the preacher, but not by the Spirit of God, we have missed it. "Men try to lift themselves, but there is no inspiration in that."
We can leave a meeting inspired, having been pumped up in our souls (our minds and emotions). Unfortunately, if this is all that has happened, the next day there will be no change in our lives.
However, if we are lifted by the Spirit, the inspiration will last, and real spiritual growth will occur. How many people leave church service, elevated and enterained, but the rest of the week live in defeat, not victory?
The true test, the "litmus paper." of your church attendance, is this first, does it produce fruit in your life; and second, is it taking you on with God and into victory?
If you answered in the negative to these question, you have two alternatives to consider: either something is wrong with you, and you need to repent and surrender to the Holy Spirit, or something is wrong with the church you are attending, and you need to go where the Spirit of God is moving. Either way, you need to get on your knees, Pray, and seek God earnestly and honestly until you know which it is Otherwise, you are living in Spiritual death!
But I do mean pray! Don't go church-hopping, as so many people are prone to do, when the changes are needed within you and not in the church. Equally, do not stay in a spiritual mausoleum," or even a vibrantly exciting yet "soulish" church, if God shows you that it is hindering your growth.
"Men try to lift themselves, but there is no inspiration in that." He wouldn't tolerate preacher vaunting their own personalities and not the person of the Holy Spirit, or pumping things up by their own abilities or natural charisma. In fact he dealt severely with those who did so, even on the platform in major conventions.
May God keep us ministers from falling into, or continuing in, this trap. Preacher, "today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8). I know this is an easy trap to fall prey to, for we have done it often.
Too many showman exist in the church today, don't be another one. A gifted can easily elicit a good response from congregation or take a sizeable offering. But for God to really move and produce lasting changes in lives, the minister and those ministered to must pay the price and be lifted by the Spirit."
Men try to lift themselves, but there is no inspiration in that. But when you are lifted by the Spirit, when you are taken on with God, things all come into perfection harmony, and you go forth right on to victory.
To be lifted by the Spirit is our objective. If we are lifted by the beauty of the singing, the special effects and lighting, the grandeur of the choir, the enthusiasm of the preacher, but not by the Spirit of God, we have missed it. "Men try to lift themselves, but there is no inspiration in that."
We can leave a meeting inspired, having been pumped up in our souls (our minds and emotions). Unfortunately, if this is all that has happened, the next day there will be no change in our lives.
However, if we are lifted by the Spirit, the inspiration will last, and real spiritual growth will occur. How many people leave church service, elevated and enterained, but the rest of the week live in defeat, not victory?
The true test, the "litmus paper." of your church attendance, is this first, does it produce fruit in your life; and second, is it taking you on with God and into victory?
If you answered in the negative to these question, you have two alternatives to consider: either something is wrong with you, and you need to repent and surrender to the Holy Spirit, or something is wrong with the church you are attending, and you need to go where the Spirit of God is moving. Either way, you need to get on your knees, Pray, and seek God earnestly and honestly until you know which it is Otherwise, you are living in Spiritual death!
But I do mean pray! Don't go church-hopping, as so many people are prone to do, when the changes are needed within you and not in the church. Equally, do not stay in a spiritual mausoleum," or even a vibrantly exciting yet "soulish" church, if God shows you that it is hindering your growth.
"Men try to lift themselves, but there is no inspiration in that." He wouldn't tolerate preacher vaunting their own personalities and not the person of the Holy Spirit, or pumping things up by their own abilities or natural charisma. In fact he dealt severely with those who did so, even on the platform in major conventions.
May God keep us ministers from falling into, or continuing in, this trap. Preacher, "today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8). I know this is an easy trap to fall prey to, for we have done it often.
Too many showman exist in the church today, don't be another one. A gifted can easily elicit a good response from congregation or take a sizeable offering. But for God to really move and produce lasting changes in lives, the minister and those ministered to must pay the price and be lifted by the Spirit."
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