Day 19 Atmosphere

If there is one thing we take for granted, it's the atmosphere we live in.  I don't think I've ever woken up in the morning asking the question, "Will there be air to breathe?"  But I have asked about the temperature of that air and if the atmospheric conditions are right for storms.

I bet few people ever think about the spiritual atmosphere!  We assume that when we gather for a church meeting the atmosphere will be right.  If there's good music and the preaching/teaching is good then the Holy Spirit can and will do His work. 

But that couldn't be further from the truth.

Yes, it is true that the Bible teaches us that when two or three gather together in Christ's name He is there in our midst.  Our God is omnipresent, meaning he's present everywhere, but that truth alone doesn't assure that He will be allowed to work in the hearts and lives of those who are there.  People create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit is welcome or not.

Whether He is grieved, quenched or resisted is all determined by those of us who gather.

Pastor John Kilpatrick pointed out something in this morning's Bay Revival meeting here at Calvary that I have never observed before concerning spiritual atmosphere.  He pointed out that when Jesus sent out the 72 at the beginning of His ministry, He gave them specific directive as to which home to enter.  When they were

approaching a home they were to call out to the occupant's "Peace to this house!" (Luke 10:5).  Jesus then said; "If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you." (Lk. 10:6).

I'm sure you asking yourself, 'What's that got to do with atmosphere?' Everything according to Pastor Kilpatrick!  He then illustrated the thought in more modern terms.  If you arrived at the front door of the

house and called out "peace to this house" and there was no response, you would know you weren't welcome. 

Then my eyes were opened.

What if the Holy Spirit comes to our church and stands at the front door and calls out to His people "peace to this house" and, because the atmosphere is one of division or criticism or strife we don't reply. Will  He then enter the house? No! And if the atmosphere isn't charged by the Spirit as we would assume it should be, and it's not the Holy Spirit's fault, then it's mine or ours as a Church Body, because we weren't creating a welcoming atmosphere!

We must admit we place the responsibility of the atmosphere of our services on how well things are done. but the Holy Spirit isn't into perfectionism or a well executed service. He is into unity.  Our singing isn't as important to the Holy Spirit as our love for one another.  He cares more if He is welcomed by all then how good the sermon is.

As long as the earth exists as we now know it, there will be air to breathe and the atmosphere will sustain human life.  But we must never assume that as long as there are church services the Holy Spirit will be present unless when He calls out to our spirit there He recognizes us as those who promote peace.

I want to be where there's peace in the atmosphere. I want to be where those gathered truly believe God can and will do anything.  And I will do my part to be one who responds positively to the Spirit's call. 

Will you?

The last church Jesus speaks to in Revelation 3 is the Church at Laodicea.  What concerns me about this text is that Jesus in verse 20 is outside the church as He says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."  Jesus was promising fellowship to those who would open the door and welcome Him in.

Church, this is just as important to us as air is to the human body. Without either one, we will die!

Keep praying and fasting! We can and it will change the atmosphere.

I'll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George