Rainy Days

Not every day is filled with sunshine. There are foggy days, days of clouded skies, and some days…it just rains. Our lives happen on a day to day basis. The challenges we wake up to meet today may be different than the struggles of tomorrow. In His sermon on the mount Jesus said, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34).

In our spiritual lives, sometimes we have rainy days. We are not always as strong as we want to be. Paul pointed out to the brethren at Galatia, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17). We don’t always live up to expectations. As Christ said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). When King David was confronted with his own sin, he mentioned just how heartbreaking and difficult it could be. He said, “I am weary from my crying; my throat is dry; My eyes fail while I wait for my God” (Psalm 69:3). His consolation came from the land of cloudless day – “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation” (Psalm 69:13).

Our God is an awesome God. His power is unlimited, His kindness is available, and His longsuffering amounts to our salvation (2 Pet. 3:15). Even so, how is it that we can find consolation when we are having such a bad day that nothing seems to matter?

One of my friends once wrote these lyrics that I believe explains it:
Why am I so sinful? Why am I so weak?
Why am I so tempted? How can I be your child?
I’ve hurt you far too many times, why should you stay?
My life is a storm raging within.
Jesus I wonder, how can you love me on my rainy days?
How can you love me on my rainy days?
Help me to be like Jesus. Help me to build faith.
Help me to see your glory. I want to be your child.
I’ve hurt you far too many times. Why should you stay?
My life is a storm raging within.
Jesus I wonder how can you love me on my rainy days?
How can you love me on my rainy days?
~ John Farber

The fact is, Jesus still loves us on our rainy days. When everybody else moves out, He moves in. When we doubt ourselves, He continually believes. That’s what makes Him special. That’s what makes us seek Him. Only His true love can get us through our stormy Galilee! Only Jesus can say on our rainy days, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39).

Church at Home?

A common question concerning the church goes something like this, "Is it permissable to be a part of a church family, even if it is limited to your own home?"

The answer to this question is simply, "Yes." But the answer is yes only under certain conditions.

1. It would be right to be a part of a home church, if you were limited to that structure based on financial reasons - perhaps the local church had no public place to meet.

2. It would be right to be a part of a home church, if you were limited to that structure based on the absence of any local congregation that was scripturally organized.

3. It would be right to be a part of a home church, if you were limited to that structure based on the absence of sound teaching in a local congregation of the Lord's people.

4. It would be right to be a part of a home church, if you were limited to that structure because you were working to plant the church in an area where no body of Christ currently existed, and the home church was the beginning of evangelistic work in your area.

But some have limited themselves to a home church for reasons that are not biblical. Perhaps they could not get along with other churches. Perhaps they did not want to submit to an eldership, or saw no need to place membership in a local church. Or perhaps, they just felt like they would rather stay at home for personal reasons. There are times when a "home church" can actually be sinful. People who are against organized religion are against God's plan for religion. God has organized religion, and its name is the "church"!

My one question to those who want to stay at home, when a local body, scripturally organized and sound in doctrine exists is straight and to the point - "If you stay at home, then what are you doing with the gospel of Christ?"

The church's mission is to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. We cannot do this by leaving it inside four walls, whether at home, or in the local church building.

"To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places." ~ Ephesians 3:10