I want more!

I want more

We live in a day of Christianity that folks seem to always want less of God, not more. Churches are canceling their services so that they can have more time with their families. They are cutting soul-winning and replacing it with activities and community service to build relationships with people. It's almost like we live in a day where we are lukewarm, seems like I read that somewhere. In social media I see those who criticize others who want the old paths. They say that they are stuck in a rut; that they haven't changed with the times; that they are out of touch with this new technological generation. It grieves me when I hear those who criticize; especially when I know they were saved, and grew spiritually in a church that stayed with the old paths. My very life was a catastrophe when Jesus saved me. It was in an old fashion, hell hating, non compromising Baptist Church that my life was cleaned up. Under the hard preaching of Monty Hinson and Dr. Bob Smith my heart began to burn within me and my life was transformed dramatically. That has now been over 23 years ago! I want to declare to all that I still believe now what I was taught 23 years ago. You might be asking what were you taught 23 years ago. Well I'm glad you asked, because I want to answer that.

I was taught one principle 23 years ago that has guided me in my marriage, family and ministry.

This is the principle: a Christian should always want more not less!

Over these 23 years I want more of God in my life not less! I want more of the King James Bible In my life not less! I want more soul-winning in my life not less! I want more prayer in my life not less! I want more Church in my life not less! I want more standards in my life not less! I want more holiness in my life not less! I want God to control my life more not less! I want to be more faithful not less! I want to love Jesus more not less! I want more preaching and teaching of God's Word not less!

If we could get back to just wanting more of God in our lives then there would be no churches canceling their mid-week services or Sunday night services. No my friend churches would be adding services, not canceling. I know some of you right now are saying, "nowhere in the Bible does it say that we have to meet on Wednesday or Sunday nights." You are probably saying, "that's one of those old fashion things that's got us stuck in a rut." No one is saying that they can tell another church when they can meet. That's why we are Independent Baptist! What I am saying is that we ought to want more church not less. If you think that's just something that preachers instituted over the last 60 years look at the Bible, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," Acts 2:46

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11

Sounds to me like these early churches wanted more of God not less! They wanted more of Church not less! They wanted more of the Bible not less!

If we could follow their examples not the latest trends we could be on fire once again. It was not a flashy program that changed my life. Rather it was strong Spirit filled preaching that did. Men of God who wanted more of God in their lives not less, and then passed that truth on to others. That's what made the difference in my life.

As I conclude I want to say I'm not targeting anyone. My hearts desire is not to be critical. I just know that this principle has guided me in my Christian life. I have friends who might read this and you were taught this same principal, I want to challenge you as your friend and brother to get back to wanting more not less!