"Starved for God, Sick of Church" The world is starving for God.  Even though they may not know the reason for their hunger, they are trying to fill a void in their life that only a relationship with their Creator can satisfy.  That is why highly educated folks wear crystals around their necks and millions of dollars are spent calling “psychic hotlines”.  People want to connect to a “higher power” that can bring some meaning to their lives.  Many people are sick of church because it has not “delivered the goods” that it promised.  Much of what happens in churches is man-centered and empty religious posturing.  People who attend church talk about God, sing about God, but somehow the Guest of honor is ignored.  Many churches have become nothing more than social clubs where people meet to feel good about themselves…and a whole world goes on with the awful spiritual hunger gnawing at their souls as they search for God’s love and their purpose in life. Many people know ABOUT God.  His word reveals His divine nature and character.  When we read about the life of Jesus we are seeing the attributes of God.  We can read about the president of the United States or any other dignitary/celebrity and learn the facts about their lives.  However, when we come face to face with them we would have to be introduced because we don’t KNOW them.  Just so, it is possible to know enough about God to preach His gospel and never really know Him. How can we know Him?  Is it even possible to know the Creator of the Universe?  God gives us this promise in Jeremiah 29:12, 13: “Then you shall call upon me, and you shall go and pray to Me, and I will hearken to you.  AND YOU SHALL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART.”  The reason we don’t seek God is because our hearts are cluttered with the “stuff” of this life that we think we need to be happy.  With the “stuff” comes the stress of how to pay for the stuff, how to hold onto the stuff, and even the time to enjoy the stuff.  And all the time the Spirit of God is whispering to our hearts, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” What we really need is an encounter with the One who made us.  He desires to “move into” our hearts and live so that we may become His Holy Habitation.  God only comes where He is welcome.  What moves God is hunger for Him.  Just as a mother cannot ignore the cries of her baby, so God cannot bypass those who are crying out to Him.  He will reach down and pick us up when He has become our desire.  When God has truly invaded a person’s life or a church, people will notice.  When we empty ourselves of our own glory, pride and vanity and say “All of Thee and none of me”, God draws near to that person and His glory rests on their life. IT IS ONLY IN HIS PRESENCE THAT WE CAN BE CHANGED. We are powerless to change ourselves.  Our part is to die to ourselves and seek God.  He is near to the contrite and broken hearted, but He resists the proud.  If we allow God to take control of our lives, and by extension, our churches, then we shall see the masses of spiritually starving people saved, healed and living the life that God has ordained for them to live; entire and complete, lacking nothing.  When “God is in the House”, there will be no need for advertising or promoting.  Word will get out that God is there and the people will come in droves.  When God manifests His presence to those who are seeking Him, there is no need for preaching or singing.  We will know that we are in the presence of a Holy God and will be instantly convicted of our sins.  We need Him more than the air we breathe.  Let’s give Him all of the worship and adoration that is due Him.  Let’s draw near to Him with sincere and contrite hearts.  Instead of seeking His gifts and blessings, lets seek the Giver and Blesser.  One moment in His presence is worth  everything.  Lets go to church to minister to Him and then God will be “in the House”.  “Dear Lord Jesus, we want more than just a “visitation”, we want Your habitation in our lives and our churches.  We want You, Lord, and not what You “can do for us”.  Release us from dead religion and fan the flame of spiritual hunger in our hearts so that we will seek You.  We repent for ignoring You and neglecting so great a salvation.  We need You.  Reveal to us Your glory and fill our hungry hearts.  Amen.”