Sharing a previous post…
At Church we were discussing what makes a church…what qualities…what traditions? We also talked about the Apostle Paul who endured all hardships because he kept his heart turned faithfully to Jesus. Jesus was the only safety Paul needed. Jesus is the only safety I need. Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit are One and they are my safety and hope and longing.
To me, a church is where we meet God.
In prayer with God this morning He told me He can’t be contained in a building made of stone. His love is too big and lives in my heart and overflows to others’ hearts as He leads. I am just one person in communion with Him sharing that love because I open my heart to Him and He tells me to rejoice and be filled with His love for me and for all His creation…every man, woman, child everywhere. If He shares that love with me He will share that love with you.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-21.
There was a period of several years when I didn’t attend any church. I studied the Bible on my own and stayed close in prayer to God who never left me. I needed that time with Him right up until the time He knew I needed more. I needed the fellowship of other people who also needed to know God so that I could be enriched and nourished by His ministry. What He knew I needed was a family of believers…a church. The church is not the building. The church is the heart of fellow human beings who are imperfect, broken, lovely, wonderful in their imperfections and open to being led by the Holy Spirit. God is not static and we can’t understand perfectly so churches are where we all are learning better and led by Him.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21.
To Take the Hand of God 
2 responses to “The Only Safety I Need”
As someone who through varying health issues has been out of fellowship for many years I understand what you are saying. It is only in the last few months that I have been able to seek a fellowship/church to join. At times I find it hard to be part of a group, and Satan goes out his way to make things uncomfortable sometimes. But his opposition has the opposite effect to what he seeks; it confirms I am doing God’s will and encourages me to persevere. May God continue to guide and bless you Maureen.
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Thank you Alan…I understand. I had left my church because it became so uncomfortable I couldn’t stay. That’s why it’s become so important to me to trust Him and where He leads. I trust Him to strengthen my heart to follow or stay where He leads me. Your encouragement strengthens me too!
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