Just months ago I said the best thing that could happen to the American church was for the buildings to crumble to the ground. Guess what? They did (figuratively, but it’s having the same effect.) God does not reside in a building. He resides in us.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

~ 1 Corinthians 12:27-28

The true church is being set free from fighting over favorite pews, Holy Spirit-imitating fog machines and high-priced guest speakers. This is not the church as God empowered it. Religious institutionalization is the satanic setting established long ago, before we all assumed the church’s events program was also written along with the Ten Commandments.

We abide by the 4th century model required by Roman Emperor Constantine. It was his way to regularly gather the faithful in designated locations to be satiated by a ceremony exalting the Roman priests, not the High Priest Jesus.

Freedom isn’t always readily digestible, for even the slave clings to his shackles. Understand that you have been set free, and this is a gift. I watched a megachurch leader explain how they were developing software protocols to capture their members’ information. Be careful you don’t crawl back inside of virtual church walls.

Arriving freely onto social media to share and engage in online ministry may be intimidating to some right now, but it is about freedom and choice. You’re no longer a follower of a certain denomination, or a fan of a certain pastor over another. You are free to pray, praise, worship, heal, and bask inside of your very own personal relationship with God.

The reality that the same religious institutions who held you as spiritual hostages are hustling to create software programs to capture your data, as opposed to loving you. This has to be a wake up call to not get trapped back inside of the very walls God just shook to the ground.

God’s not done yet, and what we knew only two weeks ago will never again be as we once knew it. Accept that in all joy as the fulfillment of God’s plan for your life. We’re breaking off old chains, dependencies, distractions and disturbances that have prevented us from our walk with Christ.

Church was never meant to set barriers between you and Jesus. You don’t even have to wait until next Sunday’s livestream and jam session to pray, worship, sit quietly and talk with the Holy Spirit, or have someone press their hand atop your head to ask Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior. It’s not about church building programs. It is about church body promises, and this is one of my favorites:

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11

This isn’t a knock against churches in general. Our family has long been firmly grounded in the local church. We are fed through the local congregational body and we also pour into that same body of believers with the gifts as God has graced us.

These locational body of believers will thrive in this season, and by thriving I don’t suggest size of congregation. Isn’t that curious how your mind defaulted to seeing big auditoriums as opposed to depths of loving of people? Don’t beat yourself up over that because it’s the very same group-think that God is setting us free from!!

Mighty days are upon us. New opportunities for the body of Christ to return near and dear to Him, free from the trappings of ancient customs, unbiblical traditions, and man-made limitations are being freely poured out upon the faithful.

Can you taste that? It’s freedom!

Praying For You

Thanks for connecting with me here at Five Stones Church Online. There are so many people struggling to connect, or to make their voices heard. We are stronger together.

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Much Love & Respect,

Scott