My prayer is that all of you have a peaceful day, filled with rest and love. My mug of Door County Christmas Coffee is ready and now it is time to write.
I was listening to a Christian Radio talk show a few nights ago. A panel of pastors were discussing "problems in the church". All the problems they discussed are fixable, but really require a change of heart from the church members.and the leadership.
One of the issues which I will write about today is a pet peeve of my own. This one has no excuse and should be fixed. Again it will take a change of heart. ( Might I say, repent' or revival?)
I have been accused of legalism in my thoughts, and that I am old. I will take the "old" in stride. I have been told that I don't understand the younger folks. I have news for people, what we will discuss is not just for the young people.
Friends we are in the middle of a church epidemic and it is called " Being Late". This panel of pastors all agreed that at least one third of the Sunday attenders are late for the start of the worship service and some by twenty minutes or more. I know that things happen and people will be late from time to time, but it seems that lateness besieges the same members week after week. Coming in late disrupts the thoughts of singers, musicians, pastors and other church members. Most areas only have one day of worship in the church, it is usually Sunday. I applaud those who because of employment or duty to the city or nation struggle to get there and are happy just to make it, even thought they are late. This one is not for you. It is for those, who can do better and do not. This is for the group who has allowed their love, fear, and respect for God to become so small that they do not see being late as a sin and offensive to Him. I have heard some say that nothing important happens in the first 15 minutes anyway. Tithes are taken. Prayer starts off the day. Announcements are made. These same people are the ones who say. "I wish I would have known about that need or event. My answer is "show up and listen"
They are practicing idolatry. You say, "That's harsh". An extra 30 minutes of sleep just because the bed felt good and then being late for church has put said person ahead of God and that person is their own idol. Stopping for a cup of coffee is harmless, unless it causes you to be late for church. The coffee can wait. The spill over from this offensive sinful attitude is that it will creep into prayer lives, willingness to serve and will harden hearts in no time flat. The book of Revelation calls the epidemic exactly what it is.
Revelation 2:1-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Loveless Church
2 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God
When we leave God at the alter even temporarily we have put other things before Him. Our lack of respect for Him and others rears it's ugly head.
How do we fix this.
1 Repent and call a sin a sin.
2 Examine your heart and ask for forgiveness.
3 Develop a plan to get there on time. If you oversleep and hit snooze on your phone or clock, move
your wake up device across the room so you have to walk to turn it off.
4 Plan ahead. Lay out your clothing the night before. Make God a priority.
5. Quit making God fit into your schedule. How about fitting into His?
Marty
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