In church yesterday, I almost wept as I really paid attention to the lyrics and wondered “do we really mean this?” Words like “Come cleanse us like a flood” – do you really want to know how God cleansed the church in the book of Acts? Sure He came with great power, miraculous healings, signs and wonders; but He also came with strict judgment of sin. Ask Ananias and Saphira – God killed them for telling one lie as a testimony to the church of the severity of sin. Acts 5:11 says “great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events” and verse 13 says “no one else dared join (the believers), even though they were highly regarded by the people.”

God, in His majesty, wants to visit us with power beyond that which was seen in the book of Acts, but the weight of the sins in the midst of the backslidden church would crush and bring division beyond repair. The American Church at large is not ready to encounter Him. I believe God, in His mercy, is strategically moving and working towards preparing the church for the next wave of holy visitation. Be a part of advancing the call, and not hindering it. Seek God wholeheartedly. Stop being complacent with carnality. Read the word daily, and submit yourself to the authority of Christ’s lordship, lest you be crushed under the power of the next move of God.