We live in a world that celebrates high enthusiasm and uncommon devotion in everything except religion.
I kind of get this, because there has been so much harm done in the name of religion, by misguided zealots.
But why throw out the baby with the bath water so to say?
If you become an honor student… people will admire you.
If you become a business mogul… people will respect you.
If you become a professional athlete… people will pin your poster on their wall.
But if you go to church too much, or read from the Bible too much, or pray too much… people might avoid you.
Here is a section from my new release book Make Me A Legend (chapter 12)
It is a fact: today’s doctor spends 10-12 years and a few hundred thousand dollars to become a physical healer. Why then would the average Christian go to a one-hour church service every few Sundays, reluctantly toss ten bucks into an offering plate, and then marvel over why so few of us experience any real miracles in our lives? Let’s face it; we are not adequately educated in the ways of our Force. Many in this generation are biblically illiterate and spiritually malnourished. It’s like starving to death in the middle of a grocery store. We are sitting on a message of power beyond our wildest dreams, lacking the oomph to break its ancient seal!
Why are so many highly respectable folks so ridiculously hesitant about venturing into deeper waters? Especially in the mainstream church, there is a stigma about going for a deeper spiritual experience. What are we so afraid of? Why is today’s religious Christian establishment so ritualistic and lifeless, lacking even the slightest degree of spiritual power and authority? No wonder society looks elsewhere for the solutions to life’s most difficult problems.
Are we afraid of overdosing on too much Bible? Do we fear that too many prayer meetings will turn us into crazy people? Do we actually believe God is going to look down on us for aiming to be more spiritually empowered? Why would He applaud people for cultivating natural talent and denounce some of us for aspiring to advance in the ways of His Spirit? Come on; let’s be wiser than this.
The Bible is not vague on this topic. Here are just two of many such verses, straight from the mouths of Jesus and the apostle Paul—both verses clearly imply a far deeper spiritual experience to the child of God who desires it, and asks for it:
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV).
Back in the early ‘90s, we cautioned each other not to become so heavenly minded that we were no longer any earthly good. Today’s Christian is just the opposite, far too earthly minded and not much heavenly good. The mainstream person claims that being a good Christian is all about manifesting the character of Jesus, while the charismatic person claims it is all about manifesting the presence and power of God. Why can’t we exhibit both of these extremes in one last-day Church? Why can’t we become heavenly-minded and earthly good? Isn’t this really a true picture of how Jesus lived during His earthly ministry? Didn’t He embody a perfect mixture of mainstream character and charismatic power? Definitely, He did.
I’ve decided to live in the church sanctuary at Destiny Family Center this week. All week 24/7 from Sunday to Sunday.
Others are joining me… many others! Each night we’re having 4 hours of live worship and prayer. Last night was unbelievable, and it’s just begun.
I want to be excited without reservation, but then there is that innate voice of secularism (that comes from growing in a post Christian America). It’s messing with my mind this morning. Just like most Christians, I want to be legitimized by the majority and not perceived as a Jesus Freak.
But I can’t help the way I feel. It seems that my fanatical way of life will always make me a spectacle–until the next great awakening. This is the cross I bear (and others like me).
It’s ok, we’re in great company! The psalmist David wrote…
The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. (Psalm 27:4 NLT)
Dear God, raise up a generation of Davids. Make me one of them. And my zealous friends.
Your thoughts??
Dream Big,
Chuck Balsamo
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