THE CHURCH
Today's reading: Jeremiah 7-11

"But do not be fooled by those who repeatedly promise your safety because the Temple of the Lord is here." Jeremiah 7:4 NLT

The Barna Reports give us statistics stating the 'church' is still prominent in our country. The number is lower than in history, but it is still a higher number than the media would lead us to believe.

Maybe that gives you a sense of hope.

It would me, if...

-I was assured that all the reporting congregations were Bible believing congregations.

-I knew for certain that the Gospel was preached and believed at every service held in every church filling out the questionnaire.

-I was sure each and every member of each and every congregation lived holy lives as their pastors hope they are and their membership tells the world they are.

-I could ascertain the mission of each church studied to reach the dying world and nurture them in godliness.

That's a lot to ask for, you say?

I don't think so.

Know how many people we're dealing with here, you ask?

Yes, I do--but it begins in the hearts and minds of individuals, like me and you.

When you and I decide that godliness far surpasses any and every desire to live carnally, when we believe what the Bible says, when we live according to what God asks us to do, when we come together to worship for His glory--our churches will thrive. Our churches will once again be what God intended His body of believers to be.

Then and only then will the walls of our churches no longer offer false hope and an even falser sense of security, they will reach out and touch our homes and our nations, and God's heart.