The Departed Glory...

[Barb]

The answers to the questions posed here are not easily answered. It is my opinion that the glory of God does not suddenly disappear.

It is a gradual process where we go about our business as usual. Church services are routinely attended, more from habit than true desire. Spirits from the deep creep into the Sanctuary, inching their way, attaching themselves to dry, cold hearts.

The scene is repeatedly played...the doors are unlocked, the lights are on, the choir members are robed and ready, the offering is received, the Bible is opened, a text is given, the invitation is made...but where is God?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Barb

To me it makes everything else we do...perhaps even meeting here, seem so...I don't know if I can find the words.

I just know that I want the glory...more than I want to live and breathe I want the glory.

AMEN!

Isaiah 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

[TalkLady]

Originally Posted by Barb

The answers to the questions posed here are not easily answered. It is my opinion that the glory of God does not suddenly disappear.

It is a gradual process where we go about our business as usual. Church services are routinely attended, more from habit than true desire. Spirits from the deep creep into the Sanctuary, inching their way, attaching themselves to dry, cold hearts.

The scene is repeatedly played...the doors are unlocked, the lights are on, the choir members are robed and ready, the offering is received, the Bible is opened, a text is given, the invitation is made...but where is God?

If church seems different, we all know it's because we've changed because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. I know He would move for us n greater measures if were making the same sacrifices we did years ago - not talking standards necessarily - but prayer, fasting, reading and STUDYING the Word of God, witnessing - being fervent and passionate about our soon coming King. If we are in the Bride, we should be acting with more excitement for His return to earth. That's my opinion of WHY things are not the same. The thrill is gone and we've left our first love in so many cases. I want to be more moved by His Word. If His Word doesn't move us to change, nothing will.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

AMEN!

Isaiah 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

I love those verses...what a promise that He will make the dry land springs of water...!!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by TalkLady

If church seems different, we all know it's because we've changed because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. I know He would move for us n greater measures if were making the same sacrifices we did years ago - not talking standards necessarily - but prayer, fasting, reading and STUDYING the Word of God, witnessing - being fervent and passionate about our soon coming King. If we are in the Bride, we should be acting with more excitement for His return to earth. That's my opinion of WHY things are not the same. The thrill is gone and we've left our first love in so many cases. I want to be more moved by His Word. If His Word doesn't move us to change, nothing will.

The thrill is gone...wow!!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I think people confuse anointing with glory. Sometimes there is anointing in the house, because God has gifted people to lead worship or preach or whatever. But it's still just God's hand on that person, which is different than His presence filling the house. I love those services where the presence of God is so heavy and thick that you almost feel like you can't breathe or move. That's the glory! And I want it!!!

This post reminds me of a story, Sherri...

A man went to see a preacher and was cautiously describing the wrong that had been done to him by someone in the Church. Sensing the man’s pain, the preacher began to explain ‘Christianity’, as he saw it.

Picking up a stone that was immersed in a pool of water, he said, “You see this stone? It has been in the water for a long time.” He cracked the stone, breaking it in half, and said, “You notice that it is perfectly dry...the water has not penetrated it. The same thing has happened to man. They have been surrounded by Christianity, but CHRIST has not penetrated the heart.”

Folks can be in the Church for years and years...know the Way, dutifully making all of the correct moves, and functioning the way they always have, but without the glory.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Barb

Picture it if you will...

Israel is at war with the Philistines (I Samuel 4:1-22). Israel has lost many men in this battle, including Hophni and Phinehas, the evil sons of Eli. The Ark of God is taken. The Ark represented the presence of God, and with the Ark gone, the power, the anointing, the glory was gone.

Eli sits “by the wayside watching” (v. 13). There is probably not a more tragic statement than that. How sad to have been in the flow of His presence and end up sitting by the wayside...watching.

No longer was he on the 'playing field' or even in the 'grand stand'. Eli's training and background meant little as he was sitting it out on the bench...watching.

Well into his 90's, he sits and recalls past victories. He remembers the days of his youth, when life seemed less difficult. He recalls the days as spiritual leader and advisor to God’s people. His mind reflects on the former things, but there is no joy....there is no substance.

So it is that we find him here, too old and too tired to even try to change things, with indifference placing him “by the wayside watching.”

Receiving news of the war, and hearing that the Ark is taken, he falls from his seat, breaks his neck, and dies (v. 18). His daughter in-law, hearing what has happened, goes into labor and delivers a son. Before she dies she names him Ichabod, saying, “...the glory is departed from Israel” (v. 21). Literal meaning: where is the glory; where is God?

Have you ever been in places or met people and you wondered, "Where is God?!" Because some have become so accustomed to the habitual form of rendering service and worship, perhaps they are not even aware that the glory has left. They continue to see a lot of smoke, but there are no flames of fire shut up in their bones.

Why is it that folks don’t realize that the glory is gone?! When did it leave?! How long has it been vacant from their presence?! Can they even remember the last time they experienced the real deal?

Are there any clear cut answers or hard and fast rules for maintaining the glory?!

In response to my opening post, Sherri wrote this...

Originally Posted by Sherri

The scariest thing to me, Barb, is that we can get good enough that we can have church without God---and we leave the building thinking it was a good service. If your music is great, your preaching is great, etc. etc....you really don't have to have God show up. HOW SCARY IS THAT?

I thought this post hit it square on the head...we can get to the place with ability and knowing how to make it work that we really don't have to have the glory.

Scary indeed, girl...

[Sherri]

I think that's what happens with some of the "big name" personalities that we have seen fall from grace lately. They get to the point that they are full of themselves and there is no room left to be full of God. At that point, I think judgement falls.

[Sister Alvear]

May we bind our hearts and spirits together for this weekend...
Sherri we are especially praying for you all and the need there.

[Falla39]

I believe God is looking for clean earthen vessels that have cleansed

themselves of all filthiness of the flesh and spirt. Then asking God to

fill the cleansed vessels with HIMSELF! When we become the container

and He is the Content, things will happen. When we become the "lamps"

and He is the "Oil", lights will come on. Darkness will flee and Light will

spring forth! The glory is in the Light! He is the Light that comes forth

from the lamp. The lamp only contains the glory. The Light (Christ in us,

the hope of glory.

When Jesus walked on earth with His disciples, He told them that He

was with them, but would be in them. They were sorrowful because He

would be leaving them and didn't understand why He said it would be

better. That the world would rejoice. No doubt they loved being chosen

as his "little flock" but they were to be his original "lamps" after He left.

No doubt they loved being His chosen, but God sent His Son for the

world! God wanted many sons. and he wanted some daughters too!

But He had to leave and go back up where He came from so that He

could pour down "Oil" into their prepared "lamps". He told them they

would receive power (Light) after the Holy Ghost (Oil) was given and

they would be His witnesses.

Yes, the glory comes from what we have inside that shines forth.

If we think we are the glory, we are sadly mistaken. We only

reflect the Glory of God as Jesus Christ on earth reflected the Glory

of the Father. Where was the Father, they asked. Jesus said that

they should know the Father if they knew him. I and Father are ONE.

The Father was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. Where

could the glory be found. In the FACE of JESUS CHRIST. Where will

the Glory be found today. In the faces of His Saints. God was glorified

in His Son (JESUS), in His apostles and the Word of God speaks of when

He comes to be GLORIFIED IN HIS Saints.

Blessings,

Falla39