Return to the Lord!
2016 has already begun, but this year is going to be an exciting year in the Kingdom of God. God is going to do great things in the lives of His people. I say this not as an old cliche`, but as a real and true word for the Body of Christ.
God is about to do some much needed house cleaning. Many of the traditions of men have infiltrated our worship services and they don't edify man or glorify God. Some of these practices are quite bizarre, but God is going to expose them and throw those non-biblical things from our midst, as He did with the moneychangers. These are the things have have hindered the church from true worhsip, but have made the house of God look like "Showtime at the Apollo." God is not pleased.
The first order of the day is that the body of Christ must return to the Lord. Many Christians have become so distracted by the pursuit of wealth and materialism, that we have left off following God. Some have fallen so far away from God that they no long reflect the "light of Christ." Many pastors and preachers have turned away from preaching and teaching holiness and righteousness. Instead they preach a false gospel that makes people feel good and accepted, just as they are. Many are preaching sweet and sugary watered-down messages that are palatable to everyone and doesn't "offend" anyone. This type of preaching does not prompt people to want to change or win souls.
We must return to the Lord in holiness and righteousness, both individually, corporately, and nationally, lest we be destroyed, along with the wicked. Holiness is still the order of the day for those professing to be Christians, as followers of Jesus Christ. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34) "Be ye holy, for I am holy." (I Peter 1:16) How can we claim to be born-again children of the Most High God and continually live in sin?
2016 is going to be the year of the return, which will lead to the greatest revival the world has ever seen. Backsliders are going to return to the Lord by the droves in this season. Just as thousands have departed from the ways of the Lord, because of false teaching, so will millions return to the Lord in order to be ready for the the greatest event that will ever take place in the history of humanity, which is the return of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King. 2016 is going to be a record-breaking soul-winning year. This year is not about us as individuals, but about the harvest of kingdom of Almighty God, so let us return to Him now.
God is calling the Church to return to Him. He is still beckoning the Church and pleading with His people, "If thou wilt return , O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then thou shalt not remove." (Jeremiah 4:1) God is essentially saying to His people to put away our idols, sexual sins and perversions, pride, rebellion and downright disobedience, to serve Him in Sprit and in truth. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." (Jer. 3:22) Please note, God is not talking to sinners, but His people.
When the body of Christ returns unto the Lord with our whole heart, God will heal our sin-sick land. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) This is why holiness and righteousness must be preached now like never before.
Whatever your plans are for this year, make sure you return to the Lord. 2016 is the year of the return. Let us return to the Lord now, before it is too late. Get back in fellowship and right-standing with God immediately. Make it your #1 priority. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Jesus, who is worthy to be praised.
