AOL reports: "A church has vanished from the Russian village where it stood for almost 200 years, the local diocese said. The Church of Christ's Resurrection, in the central Russian village of Komarovo, was built in 1809 but in early October someone took it away brick by brick, Father Vitaly a spokesman for the local Russian Orthodox Church, claimed. "We have sent a letter to local prosecutors," he said. 'Who exactly did this, the investigation will show.' The church was in an isolated area only occasionally visited by clergymen, so the disappearance was not immediately noticed."
Interesting story, and it makes me wonder...who would miss our church if we suddenly disappeared? Would anyone notice if we closed our doors? At this point in time...I am confident that the answer would be Yes...our absence would be noticed! The Lord has enabled us to make significant inroads into our community and we have given a great deal to those around us in the name of Jesus.
However...we need to be alert to the fact that the Enemy would love to dismantle us...and he'll do it brick by brick. That means...person by person. When you begin to fall prey to disobedience, you are not simply headed for personal destruction, your disobedience is contributing to an erosion of the body. It is not an overnight destruction...but with slow deliberation the enemy picks away at the body of Christ. When Satan is able to weaken you...he weakens the Church at the same time because each of us are built into the body of Christ.
Don't allow the Enemy to remove you from your place in the mission of the church. Don't go unnoticed by others. If you are able to leave the church...and no one notices...it means you aren't making a contribution to the mission. You aren't making a difference. Please...be sure you would be missed...be sure you aren't lost in a cloud of apathy. Be sure you are engaged in the call of God to proclaim Christ.
As we all move into a time of Thanksgiving, let's not be negligent in expressing our gratitude to God for all He has given us...especially thankful that He is using us as a testimony to His character and grace. And, let's thank the Lord for the grace and mercy that we've all received. It's a gift that reaches into the everlasting.
As for me...I'm especially thankful for you. You bring hope to my soul for the future of the Church. You inspire my vision...you model the person of Christ...you seek to imitate Jesus rather than culture. You make me so grateful that God called me into ministry and allowed me to be your pastor. Thank you.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17
RSS Feed