The proof is in the puddin'!

"...having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof..." (2 Timothy 3:5

Has the church been reduced to a form of godliness? Are we just a structure with no substance? If we say we are righteous, then where is the power that accompanies righteousness? Where is the hunger for righteousness? "Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be filled...." Could the absence of God in our churches be linked to the absence of true righteousness and holiness? "For without holiness NO MAN shall see the Lord."

"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 hear their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) Revival will not come until their is genuine repentance and a turning from wickedness. God was not talking to the world in this scripture. He was talking to His people. Repentance paves the way for revival. The prophet John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ by calling the people to repentance. "Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "Repentance prepares us for His presence" (Tommy Tenney)

We have not seen the manifest presence of God--for the manifest presence of God will cause you to fall on your face and cry "Woe is me for I am undone, for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of an unclean people." We like to think of the "goosebumps" as the presence of God. But the presence of God will change a man or woman. When Isaiah encountered the presence of God, he spoke differently. When Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) encountered the presence of God he walked differently. When Paul (who was first named Saul) encountered the presence of God he lived differently.

When God visited a church in Houston, Texas, He split the pulpit in two pieces. The pastor was thrown back under the power of God and a holy terror fell upon the congregation. People began to fall on the floor and weep and wail. They confessed their sins and asked to be baptized.

We have not seen the manifest presence of God...."We have programmed our church services so tightly that we really don't leave room for the Holy Spirit. Oh, we might let God speak prophetically to us a little, but we get nervous if He tries to break out of our schedules. We can't let God out of the box too much because He can ruin everything." (Tommy Tenney, God Chasers)

"God is coming back to repossess His Church...but you have to be hungry." (Tommy Tenney, God Chasers)

Do we really want God to show up at our churches? The proof is in the puddin'....

God knows your name...

God knows you by name. You are not a nameless face in the crowd. He knew you when you were just a thought. When you were in your mother's womb, he formed you. He has a plan for your life--a plan to prosper you--plans of good and not of evil.

The enemy would like nothing more than to steal your identity. He wants to steal your purpose and your destiny. He knows if he can steal your identity, then you will wander aimlessly through life always questioning who you are and what your purpose is for living.

In order to know who you are, you must first know Who created you. God--the Creator--has the manual. He knows who you are and what you were created for. He longs to share these mysteries with you. In order to find your identity and purpose you must first have a relationship with the One who formed and fashioned you. We are always running to self-help books when we should be running to God. Do we know more than God? Is it by our power that we came into being? Then why are we always seeking after the wisdom of man instead of God's wisdom? In doing so, we elevate man's wisdom above God's.

Want to know who you are? Want to know what your purpose in life is? Want to get off the merry-go-round of life? Let God be the center of your universe. He will bring balance and meaning to your life. He will reveal the hidden things and the mysteries that have kept you questioning your existence. He has the answers and He's just waiting for you to ask Him the questions....