Heavenly Perspective

It's interesting to me what's important to us, the church, and what's important to God. As I read in Revelation, Jesus is judging His seven churches. He didn't say, 'hey you're all rich and have nice homes, clothes, and possesions. You did it! You believed the prosperity gospel and are increased with wealth! Congratulations. Hahahah! There is a common theme with them all though. He judges their works, right and wrong. He urges them to repent and strengthen their weakness. And this statement keeps coming up, 'to him who overcomes.' So obviously that's what really matters to the One who overcame death and Hell, that His people who are called by His name, overcome until the end. To him who holds fast to the end, to him who loves not his life unto death, to him who perseveres through adversity and holds fast to the truth receives reward from the Lamb. The american church knows little about persecution. It's become a selfish gospel. How can I get blessed today? What makes me feel good? We flock to the men and women of God with charisma, the great orators, and prophets with incredible gifts. Many of us walk around in me-mode all the time. When I go to church it's all about me. When I pray, if I pray, it's all about me. I guarantee you that the bride He's coming back for is not self-focused. She's expectantly waiting for the groom. She's looking for Him, praying for Him, in earnest expectation of Him coming for her. Let us prepare ourselves for Him. Let us have fresh oil in our lamps and our wicks trimmed so that when He calls us we're ready.
It's interesting to me that the highest honor I see given to men in Heaven, which is the 24 elders that surround the throne, spend most of their time on their knees worshipping God. Hmmm.... maybe we've gotten some things twisted. Instead of following those that make us feel good how about following those that spend the majority of their time worshipping the King of Kings. Jesus, give your church your perspective. Let us anoint our eyes with eye salve so that we may see our condition. That we are poor, naked, destitute, and in need of you. Yes we're increased with goods and surrounded with peace. But do we have a form of godliness and not the real thing? Oh God let us repent, change the way we think and put on the mind of Christ.