Revelation 1

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man, in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

I am convinced the process which the Lord brings us into a new season must go into another phase because the gear to gain speed and momentum is different than the gear which maintains that speed.

I set my heart on all the benefits made available to me by taking this step. I was Convinced this new endeavor would satisfy in me everything I was disappointed with currently, as great potential was now afforded me. I was about to embark on something radical, new, exciting, with great opportunity, apostolic, fresh and organic, a fulfillment in the dreams and ambitions of my God. I looked to all those lampstands. God bless each of these wonderful reasons, but when we try to draw eternal life from lampstands, we will find ourselves frustrated and disappointed. In all my preparation for the move I didn't consider I was coming to Concord, Charlotte, NC to met with Jesus! Who is just past the lamp stands. I was coming to have my heart satisfied by a church movement that is radical and apostolic. Praise be to God who puts all things in my heart in order. His order. That is why He has assembled us. He wants to be our main attraction. Let's look to Him!

We can so easily have our focus of worship distracted by the variety of “churches” or lampstands. All churches in Revelation had somethings right and somethings wrong, but Jesus has it all right all the time. We should worship Jesus. Jesus will not be in competition with His churches when it comes to worship focus. Our hearts will come up empty if we seek ultimate satisfaction from a certain style of church. Granted being with the people of God is great and does bring satisfaction to our hearts, but there is a satisfaction our souls long for that can only be found in Jesus that often gets misdirected to a style of church. Yes even good old fashioned apostolic church. Let's look past the lampstands and Be overcome with Jesus. Let's worship Jesus.

mjh