Still Searching And Waiting For You Lord!

Throughout most of my adult life I have been on a search for the reality of the knowledge of the true God in my life, the manifestation of a real and relevant church, a true and unselfish shepherd, loving and caring church people, and the place where I really belong. As I kept searching and looking everywhere I have attended various denominational and non-denominational church meetings while being faithful to one church I regularly attend. I've listened to a multitude of Christian messages and am still trying to make sense of all the doctrines taught. While searching I also found out as I read my bible for more understanding that some of the teachings I heard, that I felt for, didn't have any claim in the true word of God. I became so disenchanted that I have been on a quest to find out what should be the attributes of the perfect church that will make a cut with God, the qualities that should be found in a true shepherd, the characteristics of the true believer, and where does God want me to be at this stage in my life. I went again to my bible searching for enlightenment from the Father of truth to make sense of all the nonsense I've been dealing with these past few years. You may be saying, where is she going this time? Just stay with me. Let me share with you all that God has put in my heart.

In looking for the characteristics of the perfect true church, I decided to reread the book of Revelations that contains a special message for the seven churches in the province of Asia that existed few decades after Jesus resurrection and ascension to heaven. Since everything in the bible is written for our instructions, I chose to accept that these churches are an example of the churches that will be prevalent throughout the ages. What a better way to find out what Jesus himself thought of the churches that existed only a few years after his death and resurrection than to read that book. I wanted to hear the commendations of the Master himself to the perfect church if there was really one. Do you think there is such thing as a true and perfect church in our time? What did I learn?

I found out that Jesus had commendations and warnings for five churches, and that only two churches made the cut. First, how can we define a church? A church to me is a holy convocation, a solemn assembly of individual believers representing the body of Christ with one mind and spirit, assembled for the same purpose, and walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. These people are the body of Christ made of various congregations worldwide who are being equipped for the work of the ministry as they stay attached to the Vine who is Jesus Christ. This type of church will be a real and relevant church.

Let's see some of the issues with the five churches that an aspiring faithful church should strive to avoid while serving the Master. One of the churches despite their good work, perseverance faithfulness in hardship and longsuffering had forsaken their first love (Revelations 2:1-7). The second church who remained true to the Father's name was holding the teaching of Balaam causing the people to get involved in idolatry and breaking their covenant with God Almighty who delivered them from all their enemies (Revelations 2:12-17). The third church characterized by love, faith, service, good deeds and perseverance tolerated a prophetess who enticed the people in sexual immorality and the practice of evil (Revelations 2:18-26). The fourth church who possessed a few remnant that were free of sin pollution had the reputation of being alive but was dead with incomplete deeds (Revelations 3:1-6). The fifth church, that taught it was rich, was lukewarm, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (Revelations 3:14-22).

Now what was good and acceptable with the other two churches that got them commendations from the Master? I found out that the first church that was afflicted and poor physically was faithful and strong spiritually. The second church that has been given an open door that no one can close was also longsuffering, faithful in keeping the Word of God, and not denying the Father's name despite its little strength (Revelations 3:7-13). Faithfulness to me is accepting the Word of God as truth, believing it, doing what it says in order to advance the kingdom of God , and becoming an overcomer by carrying one's cross in spite of obstacles one will encounter in this dark world.

Now what do you see in your churches? Do you see obedience to the Father's will, his word, and faithfulness and unity among the people? As you look around can you tell if the Master will have words of rebuke or commendations for the church you attend? What category do you belong to? If you are not aware of the warnings from the Master, let me remind you of one of them. Jesus has said in his own words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Revelations 3:19-20).”

I took great pleasure in reading some of the rewards for the overcoming person in any of those churches. They are: 1) “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God;” 2) “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death;” 3) “To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it;” 4) “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star;” 5) “He who overcomes will like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and angels;” 6) “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name;” 7) “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelations 2:7, 11, 17, 26-29; Revelations 3:6, 12-13, 21-22).

Since all who says Lord, Lord are not of him, but only the ones who do the Father's will, let's ask him to reveal himself to us and help us be one of the overcomers he is talking about. I know that it will happen and we can be victorious as we understand our authority and position in Christ. As we understand that we are accepted in the Father and are currently sitting in heavenly places in Christ at the right hand of Father, as we love others sincerely, as we surrender our human agenda, self-will, desire, plans, future, present life, and ourselves sacrificially and totally, the body of Christ will be strong, and our churches will be the heaven on earth, and a shelter for the hurting Father intended them to be.

Now what are the qualities of a true shepherd? I found myself again going through my bible to study the qualities of a true shepherd. I know who is the true Shepherd. But I wanted to know the difference between an appointed hired shepherd and what Jesus himself considers a good shepherd. First let's see the characteristics of a good shepherd. John 10:11-13 present the difference between a good shepherd and a hired hand. Has God not said in his word, “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

The wolf can be the evil one attacking and getting involved in any situation that the shepherd is unable to deal with. It may be lack of faith in God's promises, lack of finances, cares of the world, illnesses, family and personal matters, pressure, stress, rebellious children, marriage problem, deceitfulness of wealth, people problems, persecutions etc. However, abandoning the sheep causes the enemy to come and produce people who are discouraged, defeated, hopeless and under bondages if they are not strongly rooted in the Lord.

Now I am not saying that pastors should not earn a living from the people who are learning from their teachings. Far from me that thought. Even the apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:6 that people should share with the teacher every good thing. Also the word of God in 1 Corinthians 9:8-14 and 1 Timothy 5:18 say that we shouldn't muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

As you are reading this I want to express clearly that my intent is not to offend or make anyone feel inadequate. The motives of someone's heart in serving the Lord is only known to the person and God. I am also acutely aware that no one can be compared to Jesus who lived a life without sin and came out positively a winner. However, in reading Jeremiah 23:1-2 one can see the Father's warnings to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the people they were expected to care for. Jesus in Matthew 9:36-38 shows that he had so much compassion for the crowds, that was considered like sheep without a shepherd, that he told his disciples to pray so the Sovereign Father can send more workers into his harvest field. Are we also praying for a good shepherd that will love, feed and take care of the sheep?

I have become aware that most of the shepherding issues causing divisions in various churches are mostly around financial, doctrinal or immorality issues. When people are not happy and content in whatever state they are, they will have a divided heart that will hinder the mandate of the Lord to them to care for and feed his sheep. Thus, I think that leaders should be very careful about being divisive, judgmental of each other, greatly interested in the cares and riches of this world, and acting like politicians in order to have power and control over the people of God (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). That attitude tends to lead to fear, insecurity, anxiety, hardships and spiritual instability in the blood bought children of God. That also can cause splitting and the breakdown of an established temple of God or body of believers because of an unforgiving and prideful spirit, anger, bitterness, resentment, vanity and selfish ambitions (1 Corinthians 3:1-17). The word of God quoted from Hosea 4:9 states that “like people, like priest.” Leaders then must heed these warnings because who would want to be under the authority of rebellious religious leaders serving the Almighty God who are lacking integrity, courage, conviction and not manifesting the fruit of the Spirit of love.

Furthermore, Father says in Hosea 4:6 and Amos 8:11 that his people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, and that they were hungry for the hearing of the Words of God. This can probably explain why there is a lack of the manifestation of the power of God, lack of love and unity among the body of believers in many churches. Our churches must be filled with loving and productive children of God that would make an impact in this world in bringing conviction to sinners with the hope that the Holy Spirit Father will bring them to repentance and into the kingdom of God . My heart cry is that I can't wait for the day when there will be one flock, under the great Shepherd of the sheep who will gather all the sheep of his pasture home, so that they will never be afraid, terrified and missing again (John 10:16). I believe that leaders should always be truthful and open with the flock in order to create an atmosphere conducive to bonding and unity among the brethren (Ephesians 4:25).

What is a true believer? The word of God says that a true believer of Jesus Christ will love the truth, follow Jesus' teachings, walk in holiness, love others, respect and be submissive to each other, serve in the spirit of unity by estimating others better than self so they can be one as Jesus and the Father are one, and will be recognized by the fruit produced etc… (John 15:12-17). Now I know that this is the ideal. But I also know that it is feasible to walk closely with the Holy Father and love people, when we humble self, surrender totally to him and crucify the flesh, because he is living in us. This is a daily walk. Father says that he will keep his children from all evil, and greater the one who is in us than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4; 5:18; Jude 24). Hallelujah!

I believe that if Father can love me overwhelmingly despite my ungodly ways, pardon me from all my sins, promise me eternal life, give me new breath every day, raise me up every morning, keep me in health, fill me with his love, teach me to love others, teach me his ways, bless me physically, financially and spiritually etc, he can also keep me from trifling and sin that easily entangle (1 John 4:15).

It grieves me deeply and my heart breaks when I see discord, confusion, lack of love, lack of joy, gossip, hurt, slander and when I sense fear, loneliness, discouragement, lack of peace, weariness, hopelessness, hostility, unforgiveness and all types of bondage among the children of God. Father loves us so much. He came to this earth and died for us so that we might have an abundant life. Father is so good, great, loving, righteous, merciful, kind, sensitive, marvelous, awesome! I love him so much!

He has set us all free from the power of the enemy so we can all be the victorious and strong bright light shining in this dark world. We are no longer defeated, fearful and powerless children of God tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrines (Ephesians 4:14). Let's strive to be of one mind for the sake of the gospel. Let's take on the challenge and be mighty children of God, full of the power of the Holy Spirit of God, and standing in the Lord so that everything we do can be for the Father's glory.

Now where does God want me to be at this stage in my life? Guess what! I am still searching. I found out that my daily walk with the Lord is an act of faith every second. The just shall live by faith! One thing I know as I entrust my soul to the Loving Father is that I resolve to daily yield to him. I decide that I will not be like Saul and Samson among others who lost their purposes in life and failed in their callings to serve others by being unfaithful to God. With Father at my side every second to help, I am standing by faith strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. I am taking my position in Christ, laying hold of his promises, and choosing to believe that I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:7-16).

Also, I know who I am surrendering myself to and in whom I have believed. I know who is in control of the outcome of my life as I give myself freely and totally. I chose to believe that Father is my strength, my deliverer, my savior, my fortress, my strong tower, my refuge, a very present help in the times of trouble, of distress, and my salvation because he promised to keep me, and never leave nor forsake me. I'll take a stand for Jesus in what I believe to be true and hold on till death if it must be. If I'm wrong in what I am doing while searching and waiting for the Father, I know that he will continue to love, take care of me and make all crooked ways straight.

Finally all of you, as each one resolves to search and look for the will of God to be revealed in whatever situations encountered, work at maintaining the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Let's support one another, be a peace maker, get involved, live in harmony, have a spirit of excellence, and stay engaged in order to help others in need of the knowledge of the Father's love and peace. My advice to all who are searching for the Lord with a pure heart is to continue to press on to know him. As we do, he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring (Hosea 6:3).

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus