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Category:
Action/Thriller
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
ISBN-10: 0741452375
Pages: 217
Copyright: March, 2009
God’s House is about going back to the beginning, returning to the heart of God and the value of the church. God gave us spiritual leaders to bless us (Ephesians 4:11-14). Unfortunately, many churches today are ruled by heavy-handed leaders who have forgotten why they were “called.” As a result, many have drawn back from God and the church – feeling lost and confused about what they once believed. This book is for those who have been rejected and hurt by those who were assigned to watch for their soul.
Highlights:
– The role of spiritual leadership
– The true meaning of “ministry”
– The problems that exist and how to fix them
“God's House is compelling and very timely. It’s an affirming read for those who are at a crossroads concerning their place of worship. The honesty and forthrightness of this book is needed now more than ever before. God bless you mightily for this book.” – Sheritha Bowman, Author of Diary of a Woman Pastor
Excerpt
Excerpt (p. 157 – 160)
I like the picture shown in Acts chapter two. These Christians did not just meet on Sundays, but other days of the week as well. They became more involved in each other's lives outside of the church. They knew where each other lived, their different occupations, and their children. This was more than a church – it was a close-knit community. They had a level of closeness and acceptance that the world must see from our churches today.
They no longer saw themselves as being separate. The commonality they shared was the belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their link and reason for being together. I believe they received a level of insight into the future. What they experienced in the first-century church would continue in heaven. After Jesus returns and claims His church, we will continue to fellowship together and have all things common – forever (Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-19).
Their oneness also stirred their hearts to give to those in need. They took the extra goods and money they had and gave it to those who lacked. So much so, that all their needs were met, until there was no one left with a need. Everyone was now able to live a better quality of life, because of the generous giving of their brethren (community). This is the pattern for us to follow today. We should be willing to take the extra God has given us, and give it to those who have need, instead of putting them through a pre-qualification process before giving. Jesus tells us to simply give to those who ask (Luke 6:38).
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:42-45, emphasis added)
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions (or rather, they had him). (Mark 10:21, 22, emphasis added)
God uses people to get things done in the earth. Therefore, if we hold back our gifts and resources, then we limit the very hand of God. The church in the book of Acts treated one another like their own, flesh and blood relatives – perhaps better. That is how God sees us. God does not just see us as individuals. He sees us as one big family. Therefore, since we are family, we should care about the well-being of our family members. The best way to defeat selfishness and greed is to give. I have on many occasions, sown marketing information to fellow authors, and have reaped the same – sometimes in the same day.
No one in any church should lack what they need. If so then all the members are to blame. Who cares if your house is worth 1.5 million dollars if your brother or sister in the Lord is just one paycheck away from losing their house or apartment? Who cares about your new car if your brother or sister is still catching the bus? In order for us to do better, we must first see better. We must open our eyes and see the needs that exist all around us. From there, we might be moved with compassion to meet those needs (Matthew 9:35-38, 14:14-21):
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance, there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise, a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan (not of the household of faith, John 4:9, 10), as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:30-37, emphasis added)
The spiritual leaders in the above parable (story), should have cared about the condition of the man that fell among thieves. Their positions of authority were given to care for those in need. The priest that proclaimed the Word of God, like pastors today, was not willing to practice what he preached. It was easier for him to tell others how they should live than to practice it in his own life. It was easier for him to hold the title of a priest than to live the life of a priest.
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