On any given Sunday I watch 2- 3 church services 2 of which I grow spiritually with the 3rd one I learn something. Of the two churches that help me grow Global Vision Bible Church challenges me to seek God, which is what should happen, the most. The other church, Central Church of North Carolina has a worship service that I enjoy and the message is both correcting and comforting.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The third church that I watch, not every Sunday but most Sundays, I don’t watch the entire service; I only watch the message and leave before the end of the service. I appreciate the good works the church does and the church leader’s (Bishop) relevant words regarding what is happening in the world today. There was another church that was watched, a mega church based out of Texas, but I found it to be too theatrical.

What is interesting about the three services is my beloved and I watch 2 of them together, he watches Central Church in it’s entirety and usually falls asleep during the third church service; the church is what I consider a “Black” church. We also watched the “Texas” church together, my Beloved appreciates the ministry because of their love for Israel, he fell asleep on that one as well. We did watch Global Vision Together but now I watch it by myself during the week.
As with any of my writings, my thoughts are based on personal experiences; unlike today’s media outlets I admit my biases. As I observe and talk to other Christians, coupled with my experiences as a teacher of the word in various churches, I have concluded not everyone attends church for educational purposes.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The King James Bible is the only translation, that I know of, that keeps the word “study” in it’s wording. The NIV words it{” “Do your best…”; the NASB and the NKJV translates as: “Be Diligent to…”; and the Message, which merges verses states: “Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.” What the King James Version states so clearly is what the Believer should be doing: continuously studying. As Believers we are to “do our best daily” and if we renew our mind as the word instructs (Romans 12:2” and think about (Philippians 4:8-9) the gospel we will grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. In order to do this we need church leaders who will educate us on what thus sayeth the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (KJV)
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

When I listened to those 3rd churches, that I referenced above, the church leader would “elaborate” on certain Scriptures so as to make the words palatable to the hearer- “itching ears”(?). The Texas Pastor often included jokes in his messages- he had quite a few mother-in-law jokes. The “Black” church acknowledge most of the leadership, the “mother’s in the church, visitors and the woman who held the not-in-the Bible title of “First Lady”; included in these unnecessary time consuming accolades was the floral introduction of the speaker. On first glance the hearer may not see these things as entertainment but those of us who appreciate expository preaching understand 1) it does not edify the word of God and 2) it does not give God glory.
Because of the times we, the body of Christ, need more education and less entertainment. In December of 2023 Global Vision Bible Church issued a challenge to it’s membership: Read the Bible from Genesis to Revelations every month, I will have successfully done this twice by December of this year; that’s education. If an individual turns on the tv and listens to the worship, falls asleep during the message and wakes up for the closing (which includes hoops and hollers in some churches) this is entertainment.

1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (KJV)
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Hebrews 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Written by Marsha L Floyd
Thursday, September 26, 2024 9:42:06 AM
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (KJV)
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (KJV)
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

I hand embroidered the image from a pattern. I had to decide how the sunflower theme would be presented, Because of the individual who would receive my creation I decided to make a pillow instead of framing it, You see the exterior but the foundation, that which holds the pillows shape is the form that I made. This a gift may not be perfectly made but made with perfect love.
You my sisters are not perfectly made but made with the prefect love of God and you are a gift not an option remember that in all of your relationships.