"Drift Away"

🌟KJV

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

NLT

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

For many people, coming into the church, becoming  invested in the camaraderie of music, fellowship, and leaders. Can be a welcoming experience.

However. the most important part is to keep our eyes on God, not man. Man is made of flesh and while it is important to pray for our leaders, they too, being human, can disappoint.

When we make the Lord our focus, he remains with us. If a situation arises, or you feel  led to move on from the current church you are in. Having the Lord front and center in your life is important.

The purpose here is not to encourage you to walk away from your church. Or refuse to go back. The Lord tells us in scripture not to forsake the assembling of others

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Scripture:

🌟Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he isfaithful that promised;)

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

🌟Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 

Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

The purpose is recognizing there are times when we find ourselves in what feels like a dried up place.

There are a lot t of people who are not following God because they are not in church on a regular basis Or they stopped attending the church they were in for various reasons.

We leave a church for a multitude of reasons. But it is imperative to remain close with the Lord. 

Some people find online churches and follow the service each week of someone they like to hear preach the word.

If that is the situation, continue to pray to ensure this is where you are to be.

Stick with it while you wait for the Lord’s answer and guidance.  This sort of thing happens to many people including us in ministry. 

It can be a dangerous situation spiritually, not to be under the covering of the Lord. 

✨The enemy of your soul doesn’t want you connected to the Lord. 

🌟Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT

If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.

2Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, 

has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Whatever your current state is, be prayerful to God as to where he wants you to be regarding a church and fellowship.

Don’t allow “Church hurt” to keep you from serving God.

It is like a healing balm when we are active in going to church and the church we attend has a good shepherd that teaches the truth of the God’s word. 

The fellowship and genuine love and faith of the congregation is a blessing.

God shows us truths. The problem is some of us feel intimidated by ministry leaders and won’t raise questions regarding what they preach over the pulpit versus what we understand in the word of God.

Then there are times when we will question. There is nothing wrong with it as long as you keep it decent and in order, respect the leader in the church. 

Don’t become confrontational or argue. If you question something.

Follow the guidelines of your church and request a meeting with ministry leaders. 

Do not argue and become confrontational during a church service. This is not the time. Show respect and reverence for the Lord.

Make sure you understand what you are reading and always pray about it and questions so the Lord can lead you regarding how to approach it.

Whatever the purpose may be for your leaving, remain prayerful. 

There are times when the Lord will direct us to go somewhere else, again pray about it and if you have family and friends who are prayer warriors, ask for prayer over the situation.

The Lord has a purpose for us. Prayer and attention on him will keep us on the path he wants for us. 

Don’t try to rush him, he will give you answers and as they come to pass you will have confirmation.

Just because you walk away from a church does not mean you have to walk away from God. This is usually the case.

Unfortunately, human error can taint relationships. We become enthralled with the leader and when everyone and everything falls apart, our trust is broken, damaged and for some it turns them away from God and growing closer to him.

As long as we trust in him, and his word we will fall in line with his plans.

The biggest mistake we make is falling away from the Lord.

We stop trusting, believing, praying and vow to never trust again. We don’t realize how we shut the Lord out because of our broken feelings over other people.

The purpose of this message is for all who have given up on the church scene and God. To reconnect with him.

I am not telling you to leave the church you are currently in. I am telling you communication with the Lord is key.

We need our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is his desire that we fellowship and learn forbearance of one another.

🌟Scriptures:

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

You know the trouble standing before you. Whatever it is that has caused you to either walk away from the church, or refuse to go to church. 

Pray about it to the Lord. And ask him where you are to go next. As I stated earlier, to remain in contact with him is what is important.

✨My closing prayer:✨

Lord, fill us with the essence of your character and influence.

Allow the heart who walks in darkness 

and confusion to see the right direction to take.  

Touch us with an understanding of your purpose for our lives. Allow us to have the fulfillment of reconnecting with you in every aspect of our lives.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

John 3:17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.