Church Experience

How can I experience God by going to church?

Many questions circle through a person’s mind, especially about this subject: CHURCH. It is possibly the most controversial subject to discuss, because there are so many different views.
But it’s so easy to forget whose view matters the most…God himself!

I recently ready a write up that answered the question above. I truly believe what the writer was trying to say, and I couldn’t be more satisfied in knowing how the Lord sees the church, and how that view is so much better than my own!

Even though God lives in the heart of every believer, he also lives in the community of the church. When the church is gathered together, God is there in a special way. Just like actually being at a concert or sports event is much more exciting than watching it on television, participating with other believers in worship is so much more meaningful than worshiping only by yourself.

Just as out bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:4-5

God has given every believer special gifts. Some people are great organizers or administrators; others are gifted musicians, teachers, or dishwashers! When the members of a congregation use their gifts to serve, the church becomes a more powerful source for good, a strong witness for Jesus, and a mighty army to combat Satan’s attacks against God’s people. The church needs you, for the body of Christ is not complete unless your there!

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but to encourage one another, especially not that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

Good friends are a wonderful gift, but fellowship at church among other believers is unique because Almighty God is there. The church brings people together who have a common perspective on life. Christian fellowship provides a place of honest sharing about the things that really matter, encouragement to stay strong in the face of temptation and persecution, and God’s wisdom for dealing with problems.”

Book: Divine Moments for Women

This is just my little side note, but church is not about a building. It is not about how much money or time to give, who gives the most, and certain levels of status.

The church is God’s people! Assembling together for the glory of His holiness & worth! Why do we exist if it’s not for Him? And how great it is to serve him together!
I have seen so many young ladies stop walking with the Lord because of certain situations within the church that discouraged them. How much pressure are we putting on our precious children? Or how much are they feeling?
It’s so quick to blame everybody else or everything else for the reason why you don’t go to church. But the fact is, looking at the bigger picture, it’s only between you and God. And when it comes time to meet God Almighty, there will be no one else around to point fingers. It is our responsibility to seek God through everything. Even when times are tough, just holding our breath and trusting that the Lord has your best interests at heart, is the best we can do.

We have to "stop telling God how big our storm is and start telling the storm how big our God is!" unknown

From someone who’s been out in the world, when I first stepped into the Apostolic Church of Enfield, Connecticut, I can honestly say I have never felt so warm in my life! It was not just the wonderful greetings of the people…it wasn’t just the amazing hymns echoing through the ceiling…though I never felt like this before, I knew God was there! His spirit flowed through the pews like a beautiful stream and just poured over me. This wasn’t just any church, as society would see it. No. I knew this was God’s church because I met him there!
Not because of the name on the sign, or that it was a part of the UPC, or that it was a building. It was the gathering of His people, pouring out their heart & souls, and allowing the Lord to fill them with his great love. The beauty of brokenness within a sinner, and their complete surrender. What an experience!
Being Pentecostal is not a religion, it is not another fad or trend…it is an experience. It is living for God everyday, walking with Jesus every moment, and having a real relationship with Him. We have many faults just like any other denomination.

We as God’s people are spending more time defending our doctrinal beliefs, then actually living them! If we spent more energy loving than fighting, just think of what we can accomplish!

I can truly say, as a person who surrendered fully to the Lord a little over two years ago, I know that this is where God wants me to be. Part of His church. Part of His plan. Being a working part of the body of Christ.
And if this is where The Lord Jesus Christ really wants me, then doesn’t everything else seem pretty harmless?