Gerry,

As you would imagine, I am in full agreement with your words. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But I would like to append them in regard to this statement:

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I would say, Janean, that if you keep on listening to the Spirit's voice about the emptiness of the church you are in, and contrast it to the fullness that He promises those that seek Him with their whole their heart, and do so seek Him, you will find that fullness. In other words, I believe that if we ask Him for that fullness, and keep on asking, and really want it, such that we remove those things that impede it, just as Paul asked Him for it for the Ephesians, and taught them to lead holy lives, He will lead you to it, and fulfill what He has led you to seek.
The Adversary also often uses deception here as well. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Why is it that the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, along with the incredible rush to institute the corruption of biblical worship for this enticing "seeker-friendly/contemporary" model? What I can tell you is that in nearly every single case where I have talked to people who are involved in these things, the overwhelming answer has been, "I wasn't being filled, satisfied, etc., in the church I was formerly attending." In some instances, those former churches were faithfully preaching the Word and seeking to glorify God according to His infallible Word. Yes, in some cases, the churches were failing to do this to one degree or another. But, IMHO, what was lacking was a "new heart" in the individual. The love of Christ which only the Spirit of God can give was not present. Thus there was a "hollowness", "emptiness" within these people, which things are by nature, in opposition to the things of God and thus they found no fullness in the worship which is according to "spirit and truth". So, to satisfy this emptiness, they sought out the things of this world which so many churches have adopted to attract people; with great success. People are running wildly to these churches like lemmings. May the Lord turn them back before they through themselves off the precipice and to their deaths.

All this is simply to say that one must be very careful to discern the cause of an emptiness within. It could very well be that the fault lies within and not without. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/idea.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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