learning DAILY



Romans 8:28, For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those according to His purpose.

I have been trying to find some meaning of all that has happened since March.  Has there been some purpose to having everything shut down, restrictions being put in place to shut down businesses and churches?  All of us have been affected in some way; normal routines of life and worship have greatly changed.  Is this the end of the world as we know it?  The answer remains that only God knows.  I have been surprised at the number of spiritual leaders who have laughed and said no, while others do not have an answer. 

Community Bible Church has been going through a series of interviews with some very interesting people.  This past weekend Louie Giglio was interviewed.  There were some interesting comments and questions during this discussion. One particular question really caught my attention.  “What does the Church need to keep when they can get back into their building?”  The answer given by Pastor Giglio referred to what Jesus said in Matthew 9:17, “Nor do you put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined.  But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”  The wine here is referring to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was saying that salvation was not an improvement of man’s old nature; salvation in Him is a new nature, a new creation, which is accompanied by the Holy Spirit.

So, just what was pastor Giglio’s meaning?  Perhaps the Church needs to rethink some of the programs it is involved with.  Maybe some of the “old wineskins” need to be gotten rid of.  Perhaps the Church needs to allow the Holy Spirit to guide it back to the basics of Christianity, the good that God does in conforming lives to the image of Christ and ultimately bringing that about.  Perhaps, churches are so concerned with programs that they have forgotten their purpose is to bring honor and glory to God.  Programs can be good; but programs for program sake – well, they are just things that occupy one’s time. 

Just some thoughts to ponder as churches begin to reopen.  It seems discussion about purpose should be part of that reopening.

If you would like to get this blog sent to you automatically when new posts are posted please leave your email address with “Follow by email.” Don’t forget to check Follow as well.

Remember – if you receive this blog through email, you can go to the regular blog page by moving your cursor to the top of the page and click on LEARNING DAILY header.  Then you can see the archived articles and comment section. You can also leave a comment by clicking on the date in the Comment Section.