GOD and the Internet!

Some people think that Online Church arrived because of covid19.  They are wrong!  I attended online church five years ago that was being broadcast by a church in Houston Texas.  It kept me going when I could not walk very well and could not get out to go to a church building.  Something inside of me clicked that I did not have to miss out on good teaching with my faith, nor did I have to feel alone in my walk with Jesus.  Many christians will use one scripture to accuse me or others like me of forsaking gathering together.  Here is the scripture, which I will put up in full:   

HEBREWS 10: 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) No problem there then.  I hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering - Jesus is Lord of my life and no man can pluck me from the hand of God. He is faithful who has promised all heavenly things to us.  24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  And let us consider (observe fully) one another, to provoke (incite or encourage) each other to love and to good works:  25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.   Not forsaking (deserting, leaving aside) the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, or as some have done:  - THIS is what I have had quoted me, just this part and not the whole scripture.  But 

Strong's Index: G3870

exhorting   παρακαλέω    [parakaleo]    {par-ak-al-eh’-o}

Strong's Definition

from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

one another:  (be of good comfort to, call near, pray for) and do it much more as you see the day (the return of Jesus) approaching.  You see I wanted to give my explanation on why I attend Online Church as many people jump to conclusions, saying it is not real, telling me it’s a cop-out, turning away from me when all I am doing is being transformed by the renewing of my mind from teaching and fellowship from the online church of which I am an active member. I am happy to discuss what I do with anyone concerned for my spiritual condition!   

Online church has grown exponentially over the past couple of years and many denominations are now onboard, understanding the need, more recently since covid19 appeared.  It has been possible for me to have attended online funerals, memorials and with the same respect as physically attending, being able to pray for those bereaved. I meet with church members almost daily in one form or another, i.e. Facetime, Zoom, Messenger, WhatsApp and by phone. My home is open for fellowship albeit restricted because of covid19, but be assured I will welcome anyone who wants to worship with me, at home, when all these restrictions are removed.  God is not so small that he did not know we could use the internet to meet.  He knew before we did what would happen.  Do you think God was not involved in us inventing or revealing the internet to us?  He has provided everything we need to get the Gospel of Christ preached to every country in the world. Do not despise the small beginning of the Word Wide Web - in God’s hands it is a formidable tool.  He has given us many ways to preach the gospel and the internet is one of the ways to reach the physically unreachable. We are very able to put God into a ‘me sized’ box containing who we think he is or how he will behave in such and such context.  Well, for those not sure - God does not think like we do. Let me remind you what His Word tells us:  

ISAIAH 55:  6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:  Seek, follow, question the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near.  Remind me where he is?  That’s right, his Holy Spirit lives within each one of us - that is how near he is: we are his temple and he lives inside each person who believes in him and in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Who are we to say, at this moment in history, what is church and what isn’t?  7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  Let the wicked, ungodly, condemned man forsake his way, and the unrighteous, false, vain, wicked man forsake his thoughts, and let him return to the LORD, and he (the LORD) will have mercy on him, and return to our God because he will abundantly pardon him.  Isn’t God good?  

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For my. (God’s)  thoughts are NOT your thoughts, NEITHER are your ways my ways, says the LORD.  So what is your issue about online church?  Do you not think God can work through us wherever we are?  Do you not think God is everywhere?  It is time to get yourself out of the box and let God do what he does best, his way for the glory of the Kingdom.  Some services I attend have hundreds of people in attendance, whilst others may have as little as 12 people in attendance, and each one of us have a part to play in ministry, prayer, counselling, building relationships, exhorting one another and receiving from God.  Until a few months ago I lived alone but was never lonely because I was having church from my sitting room.  Since Stuart and Elly have decided to stay with me we have fellowship every day - our little congregation of 3, we have communion every day, we are all part of on online church and are active in bringing about positive changes in people lives through the church.  I  have prayed personally for many people to accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour and that is a great privilege.  Now we disciple these people through the church in many places from all over the world.

 

God is Spirit, not human - Jesus became human for many reasons -  so that he could be the sacrifice for us -  he could know what it was like to be human - he would know what it was like for humans to suffer and be rejected - he sent us his Holy Spirit to live in us as a deposit for what is to come when we leave this earth - and much, much more. No man can compartmentalise a Spirit - especially God!  His ways are not our ways and nor are his thoughts our thoughts. We still have words of prophecy, personal prayer, words of knowledge and spontaneous worship.  Online Church is and has been a saving grace reaching out to those in isolation, to those unable to go out, to those who need and want fellowship and live in remote parts of the world.  We all worship in Spirit and truth and he does not treat us at Online Church any differently than he does when his church is in a building.It is the way forward in some countries for evangelism and mission, and will help to set up church at home. Do not despise a tool that God gave us to use to spread to word of God and minister to each other through.

Until next time, God bless and keep you xxx.