Stale. That’s the word that describes the American church. This word has been heavy on me lately.

Sardis

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:1-6

He who has the seven spirits (Isaiah 11:1-2, Rev. 4:5, Rev. 5:6) and the seven stars (Rev. 1:20) knows our struggles and our shortcomings. We are dead. The church of America as a whole is dead. Stale. We must remember and hold fast to what we have and, above all, repent. We must repent for our unwillingness to stand for the gospel unashamedly. We need to repent for our willful ignorance and disobedience. We have taken on the spirit of self-righteous pride. Our garments are covered in filth. The bride of Christ has forgotten her identity – without Christ, our Groom, we are nothing. We are helpless and abandoned, no different from the world. We only know the One who gave His life for us. Why do we not tell others we are engaged with the Son of Man? He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy to be known. It is not a secret love. The hour is coming when all the world will see the Groom come to bring His pure bride home. But is the church pure? Is the American church pure? We have become high and lifted in pride. He is bringing us to our knees in repentance to grow deeper into Him. He is our Root of Jesse, the rod which comforts us in the dark valley of the shadow of death. He does not leave us in our trial but walks with us into the fiery furnace. See through the eyes of faith. Reach out and touch His garment in humility, for He is there. We need to put on garments of praise. Our garments have become filthy rags after playing with this world. We are called to be in the world to bring glory to Him and tell others about His grace, but we must not stain His garments with pride and filth of this world. He is calling us to overcome. He is the head of the church, the bride. Let Him bridle our tongues and the body of Christ. We are not reflecting Him as we should. We are disconnected and not unified. Ponder that…

We must dig deep for the generations to come. For such a time as this, we have been placed here. Dig deep into Him and become rooted. The mustard seed of the Kingdom is growing. Pressure is cracking the seed. Church-ianity is NOT Christianity. He is sifting. Grow in Him. Repent and strengthen the things which remain. Stand spotless before Him. Be holy as He is holy.

Ponder: Habakkuk 1:1-5 (and the rest of the three chapters if you want gems)

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

Habakkuk 1:1-5

Freebee: Habakkuk means embrace… embrace the vine. Abide in Him.

Accompanying poem 😉