Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11
In His Presence
Did Jesus Christ die so we could feel tingly on Sunday mornings, stomp, clap, and sweat our wigs out? How many leave church service thinking God showed up because they felt warm and fuzzy during worship songs? How many others say they “caught” the Holy Ghost during a praise break, shouted, and passed out in the spirit? Believers refer to the Lord’s presence like an airborne disease or a sensation they conjure under professional strobe lighting and repetitious lyrics. In other words, the people of God are reducing Christianity to a weekly cathartic experience rather than a daily faith walk in the power of the Spirit.
Sadly, some do not recognize God’s presence because they consider it a feeling rather than a person. They dutifully attend church services, getting their weekly dose of praise and worship, reciting a few ineffectual prayers, and returning home with no deeper connection to God, no refreshing, no renewal, no edification, conviction, or repentance.
God With Us
There is a difference between sensing God is present and knowing God is present. We need assurance that God is with us seven days a week—in the silence before a storm, at the altar, in the delivery room, in the classroom, in a cubicle. We need assurance that he is present when we pray, undergirding us with strength and endurance. Above all, we need assurance that we have been born again through the blood of the Lamb and the power of his resurrection.
The Acceptable Year of the Lord
Isaiah prophesied that a son would be born of a virgin, and his name would be Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Hundreds of years later, Jesus Christ was born. At the beginning of his ministry, he visited the synagogue during the sabbath and stood up to read. He found a passage in Isaiah to declare that he was, indeed, the Anointed One sent from God.
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
Luke 4:18-22
Jesus confirmed Isaiah’s prophecies. Those in the synagogue were privileged to see the Messiah in the flesh and hear his bold proclamation. He personified grace and power and had come to free the world from sin.
He ultimately lived a perfect life and was crucified for our transgressions. Returning to the Father at the end of his ministry, he promised to always be with us. Indeed, he would always be Emmanuel, present in Spirit, giving us enduring hope, miraculous power, and victory over the enemy.
Without Measure
How do we know God is with us? Christ, filled with the Spirit without measure,1 should be our example. Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, but being led by the Spirit, Jesus overcame. Christ then went abroad, preaching and being glorified. Not a typical prophet, he was glorious and magnetic, walking in power! We, too, must be led by the Spirit. Though tempted and tried, we are more than conquerors because Christ overcame the world, and the Spirit of God dwells within us. His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God2 despite our circumstances or emotions.
Power to Preach
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be anointed to preach. By the Spirit, Jesus’s words penetrated the hearts of multitudes. He preached that he was the only way to the Father, the truth, the resurrection, and the life. His Words, being sharper than a two-edged sword,3 changed people from within. Just like today, Jesus had to deal with church folk, who had a form of godliness but denied the power. He rebuked them for hypocrisy: they appeared beautifully pious but were full of dead men’s bones and uncleanliness.4 As disciples, we should be hearers and doers of the Word, abiding in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:29-31
Power to Heal
Isaiah also prophesied that the Messiah would have the power to heal the brokenhearted. Many who followed Jesus were emotionally paralyzed, devastated, dejected, or possessed by demons. Full of the Spirit, he had the power to make them whole. We, too, can be made whole—not by church programs and catchy tunes—but by faith.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Power to Give Sight
Moreover, Isaiah proclaimed that the Messiah would give sight to the blind. Many faithful churchgoers cannot see through the opaqueness of their empty piety and man-centered worship. We, too, were spiritually blind, but God has brought us out of darkness and into the marvelous light! And now, we see that our redemption derives not from denominational and sectarian rituals but from the blood of the cross and the power of the resurrection.
Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
Power to Deliver and Set Free
According to Isaiah’s prophecy, the Messiah would be anointed to deliver the captives. At the cross, Jesus permanently destroyed the chains of sin, death, and the grave. The enemy, however, would keep believers in darkness—walking in religion instead of the Spirit. People may break out of manmade prisons, but it takes the power of God to free us from the enemy's snares.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
This Day
We may continue to worship God in vain, week after week, or we can worship him in Spirit and truth. The promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, demonstrates his power through us. If he can heal us, then he can heal the nations! If he can save us, then there is hope for the lost! If he can free us from the bonds of sin, then the devil knows his days are numbered! Jesus said, “This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Indeed, the time is at hand: repent, believe the gospel, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit.5 This is the day we walk in the Lord’s presence because Emmanuel, full of grace and tender mercies, is a very present help.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:22-23
John 3:34
Romans 8:16
Hebrews 4:12
Matthew 23:27
Acts 2:33
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3
Many who have church attendance are inhabited by a spirit of religiousity ritualism ceremony and outward appearance and is often merely a performance sadly for the benefit of others and not an entire way of radical transforming life emulating and following in the footsteps of Jesus closely affecting and impacting not only self but others lives, even in the face of rejection, hatred accusations and lying spirits. When you truly live and walk in the power of the spirit and lead a set apart life from the world, totally devoted & zealous for the Lord many church goers cannot understand it, nor understand Jesus in you and think there's something very wrong with you and will often tell you off and try to silence you from speaking about the wonderful things about Jesus Christ and how He truly sets free from being held captive to wilful sinning, it's like the spirits in them want to keep you bound. Often they only want to crucify Jesus in you and will concentrate their efforts in doing so, that it is impossible for anyone but the paid pastor/elder/leader to hear anything from God and His spirit. They will try to convince you that you are somehow evil, disqualified, not humble for just having the living Christ Jesus & His resurrection newness of spirit of life & the holy spirit power in you. They tell you off for saying the word repent, and repentance and don't you ever even dare to say that word, and they don't care if it's in the bible just don't say it especially when your out evangelising to the world! They just refuse to believe it is in any way possible and to live a sanctified life, they say it is impossible that you have to keep being a fornicator/adulterer/smoker/addict/pornographer by hand/selfish/unkind/living only for self and selfish carnal soulish desires that it is absolutely normal to be part of the world and exactly like the world no different, not distinct, in how you live think and all that you do, that you HAVE to keep sinning, and if you don't your just arrogant and the church MUST incorporate the ways of the world and be government approved and aligned have tax exempt or charity status because they are a business & introducing as much of the world in their services from worldly secular ideology, psychology, healthcare, heavy metal/rock/rap/hiphop music, because how else are they ever going to be relevant to the dying world?! & to just passively sit there, while you learn absolutely nothing about God Himself but only how far away they are from Him, merely praising Him with their lips but their hearts being gfar removed from Him & or pretend that you are at some worldly music festival and jump up and down or sway or whatever it is that they encourage you to do to be acceptable and fit in with their herd mentality, but appropriate dancing to the Lord well that's not allowed! Because it's not possible for you to contribute anything that God has imparted to you and woe to you, & if you ever do or to even dare! How dare you even go around saying hi to everyone you weirdo! Or ask another brother or sister if they want you to pray for them! How dare you talk about Jesus after the meeting and open your physical bible, and you get laughed at for having a physical bible, & how dare you ask questions about their interpersonal relationship and walk with Jesus!! They just finished & have had enough of listening to that man at the front talk for 30-45 minutes and he talked mainly about the things of the world and you think I want you to now start talking about what Jesus said are you insane?!! And how dare you even think about talking to me anyway? Gossip is rife as is cliques. Staring on to a stage of a one man band show that's all normal & there is no other choice or way but to be a continual sinner trapped and held captive in your sins forever that's your fate and only destiny in Christ Jesus apparently. While Jesus taught something entirely different! That he came to set the captives free, oh and everything Jesus said doesn't mean what He said it's what we say as the church building that matters and must be elevated. And if you have the living power of Jesus inside of you, you are merely legalistic, though you don't control them, that it is the way and power of what Jesus has done in one's own life it is through having a miraculous transformative encounter with the living God. They teach that Gods holiness is something to be incredibly ashamed and embarrassed about and it can't possibly be done in anyway in and through your own life to Heavenly father and who do you even think you are anyway?! That ecumenism and all roads leading back to Rome being inclusive of all teachings and religious coexist is all about the loving Jesus didn't you know?! Incorporating all their teachings inclusive of witchcraft/ paganism/sorcery/well anything goes because don't you get it?! Duh?! We are under the new covenant and anything goes and everything is tolerated and accepted because God is love and your obviously bad fruit because your not very loving now are you, how dare you point out sin is wrong we're all imperfect it's normal, look at the plank in your own eye?! There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus even if they are repeatedly fornicating or a practising homosexual. And we are not to judge even within the church! What do you mean they used to remove them from the church?! And yes didn't you know it's normal to just live for a career accumulate wealth money and materialism that what God put us on this earth for to be blessed and prosperous how propesterous to think otherwise silly little girl? Well now, my brother's and sisters starving in my own country & other countries that's not my problem or responsibility is it now?! I put a tin in to the food bank! That's the widows mite right there that is! And I give to the church building to keep their lights on! I don't know of anyone else who needs my help anyway! God helps those who helps themselves even if they are my brother or sister! We are here to have fun and your not much fun especially if you don't run with the world & go out and drink and party and go to pubs and clubs and do as the world does, and just watch TV programming and movies oh & you must vote too!!! What do you mean spend my day praying?! Getting to know God? Read the Bible? What are you even talking about?! Why would I do that? When I come here?! And what do you mean do what God asks? Well we can't, so there you go! Go out and share the gospel?!!! What?! Do you want to be arrested or carted off to the loony bin because that's what will happen!! Are you stupid or something?! Oh and the bible is just a collection of stories not real historical actual accounts of what happened with real people especially those set apart for God. And your mentally ill to say God speaks today by His spirit! Yes abortion mat be wrong but killing & murdering adults via war, even if they are your brother from another country is totally ok and acceptable to God. Most church attendees serve an entirely different Jesus an antichrist Jesus in place of and against the real true Jesus of the Gospels and against His spirit. Their Jesus does nothing, knows nothing and just leaves you to fend for yourself. That's why He invented Doctors!What do you mean not put your trust in man? If I don't wear a mask take the jab I'll lose my job and if you don't work you won't eat? Miracles? Faith?! Protection?! Grow up! Your talking a load of utter rubbish! We are told to obey the superior governments, what do you mean obey God rather than men? Your a rebel and your sinning against God if you don't bow down! Didn't you know God doesn't heal anyone anymore! And if you don't go to church your being totally disobedient, what do you mean meet up with you to pray at your home? No! You HAVE to go to a church building. I can't meet up with you anywhere else or with another sister, what are you talking about where two or three or more Jesus is in our midst?! He is only at the church building?! What do you mean it's invisible?! What's wrong with you?! The only acceptable way to worship and that God accepts is coming to a Church building or you are lost and going to hell! What do you mean worship Him in spirit and in truth?!! What are you trying to do start your own cult or religion or something?! What do you mean you learn more when you spend time alone with sitting at Jesus feet and praying to Him?! This was my experience with church building goers. And I would come home crying asking God what was wrong with His people? And do you know what He said to me?! ' says they are my people?' I responded they do Lord they say they are! They say they love you! Then He asked me 'Does that makes them my people then?' and I said well no, but why do they keep insisting & saying they are? And thankfully Jesus called me out from her! Praise Him!
This is great, thanks for sharing. To be honest, I am still quite scarred by nearly every church in my country being boldly in favour of all government policies during COVID-19. I live in New Zealand, and we had the longest restrictions in the world and jab mandates, and endless families, businesses and lives were destroyed. But the churches here went all in with the government, and still haven't officially said anything about the response. And it isn't just this, they are in on all government promoted issues, which is entirely against the Scriptures, being a position completely aligned with the world, and are becoming increasingly complicit in the metaphorical prison complex you refer to. The church friends I had told me Satan didn't exist and nor did demons, when I started to see the world this way, and scoffed at such beliefs, with one guy, a bible teacher in the Anglican church saying, "hardly any Christians believe in Satan anymore". To summarise, the church in western countries has mostly become fully aligned with the beast system. My wife and I spent a great deal of time listening to Chuck Missler when we were saved, and liked his notion that our home should be a church. He did all of his online teachings knowing this problem was occurring. I have a deep passion for the Word, and long to be involved more in the church, but the state of it is so dire, and I fear it would pull us back rather than prompt us forward at this point by joining a church. The situation may be better in certain areas of America, but in New Zealand and Australia things are clearly in a bad state.