I miss my home church

My home church was an exciting place.

We had a wonderful pastor.
When he came we were so very needy.
He was very patient
He loved us.
He was a man of prayer.
But most of all he fed us with the good word of God.

Revival is the natural out growth of these things
Love for people
passion in prayer
preaching of the word

The revival that these things produced was driven from the pew
as people hungered after God
and the things of God.

Our pastor had to lay down guide lines not to promote but to control our hunger.
He had to say;
" I don't want anyone fasting more than 7 days without talking to me."
out of worry for peoples health.

He told one young man
"I want you to scale back your giving to 20% or less of your income"
We borrowed money to give, to missions and the work of God.

Prayer was made continually
our church was a " house of prayer"
People got out of bed at all hours of the night to go to the church and pray...
people arrived through out the day not because they had to... they wanted to.....
prayer - fasting - giving -
prayer and giving were the constant themes and motivation for your lives.

evangelism
every Saturday morning close to 100 people would regularly show up to knock doors
at one point I think we had over 25 home bible studies going a week
we were excited about our God and confident in our message

Church was an exciting place.

We brought our food to the church for fellowship and prayed all day on Sundays.
Our Sunday night services were the things books are written about...
I experienced it!
powerful - glorious - life changing.

Church was were miracles were accomplished
and lives were changed by the power of God

visitors quaked and trembled in the presence of God

drug addicts and alcoholics were delivered and set free in our altars

our music was anointed and powerful
often times it usured in the glory so no one could stand to minister

This was the perfect "team" church - there were no big I's and little you's

Young men felt the call of ministry and were willing to pay any price, as they sought the face and favor of God

We put off vacations - who would want to go any place and miss out on what God was doing?

This was my home church...


I miss my home church


I am reaching for a "home church experience" again

I want my kids to know that kind of experience

I miss my home church


lm


footnote;

In the first 24 hours this post has received over 200 visits
I have received private messages, text messages, and phone calls regarding this post


All seem to have the same theme
"What happened and how do we get it back, or
thank you for the memories that sounds like my home church"

the revival we had in my home church was mighty,
but it was not exclusive


God responds to hunger and faith


I cannot answer for anyone but myself


I became proud of what God had given me
I became complacent in my spiritual life and walk
I was condescending and elite in my attitudes (spiritual pride)


God resists the proud...


I first wrote this post almost 3 months ago
Most every message I have preached in the last 3 months has had elements of it in them
much of my prayer time is repenting and seeking the face and the favor of God


I want my children to be able to raise their families in the same environment that they were raised in

If God did it then I believe God can do it again


spiritual hunger
love for others
and faith in God


why don't you join me in this journey up the mountain

God is still "a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. "




" If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. "

lm