Church Without Walls... As understood by me

I'm a rebel and i know it. I'm rebelling against culture and tradition. Don't you just get tired of doing things monotonously? Especially in our service to God and relationship with Him. Okay, okay!!! I just had to say that, I'll dwell more on that in my next blog. I just had that itch... Okay, enough of that.



I'm a big believer in the "Church without walls" concept or theory, which ever word you're most comfortable with. These 3 words are pregnant with meaning, but I'll try my best to explain.

1+1=2. What is a church? A church is me, a church is you. We are the church. I'll like to categorically say here, that a church is not a building. The word translated "church" in the English Bible is EKKLESIA. Its the Greek word 'Kaleo', which means to call and the prefix 'ek', which means out. So you see, the word means "the called out ones". That is, you and I.





As a result of this gross misinterpretation of the church, the mind set of people today, believers and unbelievers alike, have been tuned to seeing it as a building. We all know that a building has 4 major walls designed to hold it. Walls here are synonymous with boundaries, limitations etc. I must stress on the fact that it is not God's plan for believers to be limited within it. The Holy Spirit needs no office! Our relationship and walk with God shouldn't be limited to church meetings (not that its not vital). Its a daily thing which should be nurtured just as we nurture our human relationships. One of the devices of the devil today is to trick believers into believing that it all starts and ends on a Sunday, its much more than that. I'll like you to know that its possible to be in church 7 days of the week and still not be making an impact. The truth is that you can be busy playing church, that you forget what really matters, your relationship with God. You may be a chorister, an intercessor, a sanctuary cleaner, whatever it is you do in the house of God, that your Spiritual life suffers for it.

Look people, its high time we stop playing church. If you must know, the church has left the building. its a wonder why churches lose members. We are yet to break free of tradition. Thinking that the church is a building has really affected things. We ARE the Church. The Church is NOT a building. We have left the building and are hitting the streets to live our lives in complete abandon to the will of God, for his Glory and for the expansion of his Kingdom. I've met a lot of people who say that they will never step into a church. Thats fine. If they won't come to the church, then we the church should go to them. There are so many ways. Lets think outside the box. Rehabilitation centers, food courts, concerts etc. God has given us the means at our disposal. We can do these things.

The bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:17 that Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty. (KJV) In the New Testament we see the church fellow-shipping together in homes and upper rooms and just places outside and in. We see the leaders going to the synagogue to evangelize the people there. "How do they worship the building? They feed it, sacrifice to it, decorate it, make it nice and comfy for themselves, work on it,, finance it, name it, identify themselves with it, take pride in it, and last of all, brainwash everyone into looking at a building and saying "THERE's a church". Rory Moore. Take note of the 'for themselves'. The house of God is not a trophy and shouldn't be looked upon as such.

Now, am I saying that we should leave our prospective churches? An emphatic NO. I'm just encouraging us not to lose focus of what's really important. Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (KJV). That my friends, is the Great Commission. Its not enough to wear our fancy clothes and sit down in church, we should go out there, taking the church out. And you may ask, 'I'm not a pastor, how do I do it?' You do not have to be a pastor to evangelize, to do exploits. You can simply be you. You don't need any title in front of your name to work for God. He doesn't need any of that, simply come, just as you are. We can be apostles in the market place, that is, world changers and agents of transformation in whatever area God has called you into and wherever you find yourself, be it in the banking, entertainment, sport and various other industries.

In conclusion, God isn't satisfied with us just attending church services. He wants us to spread our tentacles all over the world, this move is termed "Church without walls". Its a very broad topic. I hope I have been able to explain a little.

God bless you!

Simply Me

I feel down at the moment. And I feel bad for feeling down. I struggle to remind myself that I'm only human. Yes, I know His grace is sufficient for me, but how do I stop myself from sinking deeper?

Okay, I took a break from writing this. And in that break, someone just lifted my spirits. You know how you're most comfortable with old friends? Well yes, I just had the opportunity of being myself. Just Mary. Period!!! Not Sister Mary, Worship leader Mary, Fellowship leader Mary, Big sister Mary, Daughter Mary, Student Mary, the endless Mary's. Feels refreshing.

By the way, I love all the Mary's that I am and I thank God, I just itch to be the young Junior Secondary School Mary sometimes. The one who lived in a less complicated world. Hmm... Time they say, waits for no man. I guess time has caught up with me and its time for me to run, run to keep up with time.

What can I say? Life is good. Some don't have half of what I do. And I don't mean material things. Love, memories, family etc. Infact, I'm going to say a quick prayer.

Lord, I thank you for having me in mind to create
I wonder where I'lld be if not for your grace
Thank you for life, love and family
Thank you for simply being you
I don't and will never regret the day I said Yes to you
Your stability is amazing
I could go on and on and still that won't be enough to thank you
So all I'm going to say is

I LOVE YOU

Case closed!!!

Happy New Year

I think I should wish you all a very Happy New Year first. Its the second day of the month and God has been faithful. In the last week or more, typically, almost everyone has said something about the new year, either to someone or on facebook, twitter and on their bbms. Well, I haven't.
Here's me thinking, 'December rush' Everyone trying to get right with God. By the way, church was filled to the brim during the cross over service. Filled with people who normally don't come to church. As a fellow human being, I understand the need to be in church as the new year enters. They say, 'Omo mehn as 12 go nak, I gats be in church, you know, to thank God for the year'. Good, a very religious statement. It looks good on the surface. In my opinion, God is just shaking His head and saying, 'Let me just accept this thanks'. As I was saying, these people left at quarter past 12, when service hadn't ended. Seriously!!! And God is supposed to honor that. (I'm not condemning them, what's funny is that the next time you'll see them in church is the next 31st of December. Well, I should just end this matter on this note, God is not mocked.
Forgive my diversion. I'm continuing from where everyone was talking about the new year. I wanted to say/write something too, but I wanted to mean it. I saw things people wanted to do, habits to drop, promises to God etc. As of today, I don't have any new year resolutions, this doesn't mean I don't have plans for the year or things I want to change, but I'll rather not tag it now, so I don't break them. The truth is 95 percent of people won't keep them. So I'm taking it month by month. (This may not apply to you, you just might be in the 5 percent minority).
Of all the statuses I read on facebook, 2 I loved. And I'll share.
- 'No speeches, no essays. 2011, let's just do it. The year of shut up and do'.
Lol... I absolutely loved it, its self explanatory. The second,
-' Beloved what 2010 did not do 4 u 2011 will neither do. D question is wot r u willing 2 do 4 urself? U av made resolutions after resolutions & by March u r burnt out! Ask God wot His resolutions 4 u is? Dis will b the key to ur success. Don't live other people's visions, walk in other people's paths, work wit other people's instructions not specifically meant 4 u. God's eternity is the answer to our problem with time.'
Simple!!! This is why I don't do resolutions, I burn out by March. I just try to take it a day at a time, praying and asking God to reveal His plans for me. Would you rather live out your resolutions or God's resolutions for you. Think about it.
I know you must have been clogged with themes for the year and all etc. 'My year of divine favor', 'My year of increase' etc. I respect that. What I'll say on this is that I pray that this new year, I will and people will not just know, but understand who Christ really is, and develop a relationship with him. I pray also for grace to love God more, not for what he has done, what he'll do or what I want, just for who He is. Simple!!! Most of all, to base all I feel for God, all I do this year on the word of God. It never fails. When your relationship with God is on point, it will be your year of everything. Favour, substance, grace, everything!
So so much to say, but I'll be back.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!