MEASURED
Today's reading:  Revelation 7-11

"I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers."  Revelation 11:1 NIV

I don't know who gave Paul his 'yardstick', but I will assume it was either God himself or one of His angels.

It was from heavenly stock, though.  It was pre-approved by the Creator.  It was the standard of measure God would use.  It was true.  It was right.

Paul was asked to use it to measure up the church, the altar and the worshipers.

I'm not so sure we shouldn't be doing the same thing today.

Are our churches measuring up to God's standards?  Are our altars being used fervently, solemnly, often?  Are we, as His church, worshiping--or just attending?

We are to use God's units of measure.  His standards.  His scales.  His ideas.  His basis.

Not the world's.

Not our own.

Not another church's.

Not according to what is comfortable or appealing to the masses.

Not another denomination.

Not based on what would look good as it is fed across the World Wide Web.

Are we, are our churches, is the altar we use measuring up to what God intends, desires or wants it to be?