ÒThe heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?Ó (Jeremiah 17:9)< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

At every celebration of Jesus Christ during Christmas or Easter, there is always an increase in the number of church attendance. As soon as the service is over it will take another year to come back and worship. Does that sound like you? Besides the seasonal worshipers that enter for worship, there are so many other professing believers that are regular on Sunday services only to enter, but not dwell in the presence of God. Does this second group apply to you? Let it be clear that God cannot be fooled. There is great gain in seeking Him in deed and in truth. Also, there is great pain in playing Christianity. However, anyone of the above mentioned groups are definitely missing the purpose of serving God. Anyone that knows the truth but makes a choice of playing religion has taken an act of wickedness. In JeremiahÕs complaint to God, it is clear who the wicked are. Jeremiah 12:1-2, ÒRighteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.  Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth but far from their mind.Ó Is it clear enough to know that the wicked are the ones where God is near in their mouth but far from their mind. Anyone that comes to enter into worship service without dwelling in the presence of God is an indication of knowing in their mind the right thing to do, without acting on it. Having the knowledge of what is right and not doing it is the same as being near to God in the mouth but far from the mind. Does it sound like Jeremiah is complaining about you? To know whatÕs right before God and not to do it is an act of wickedness. God does not overlook sin. Ecclesiastes 8:11, ÒBecause the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.Ó God is merciful but sin will not prevail forever. It is about time to let the word of God have its way both in the mouth and in the mind. When will your entering into the place of worship be converted into dwelling in the presence of God? < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Reading and understanding why God sent Jeremiah to the people of Judah might add to our understanding of what it means to enter and dwell in the place of worshiping God. Jeremiah 7:1-3, ÒThe word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, ÔStand in the gate of the LORDÕs house, and proclaim there this word, and say, ÔHear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the LORD!  Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ÔAmend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.ÕÕÓ It does not matter how many hours you spend in the place of worship, or how long you have been entering your church building; it will not count if you are very active in the church but are only entering on a regular basis without dwelling in the presence of God. The word of God through Jeremiah was not to those that do not come to worship but to those that come to worship. Does the word only apply to the people of Judah? Indeed, it was a direct message to the people of Judah, but it also directly communicates to you. God wants us to amend our ways, not our excuses or concerns for just entering and not dwelling. ItÕs about time after all these years of your entering into the church to begin to dwell. What we need to do is trust God for the grace to begin to come and dwell in His presence. God will help your desire to become deposited into your life. The Psalmist knew what he was asking for when he lifted his voice and asked God for his desire. Psalm 27:1-5, ÒOne thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;  in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.Ó Can you see all that comes to be when you begin to dwell instead of just entering? God has positioned so many promises in His word if obeying the word will be your garment. It is very clear that JesusÕ life as a gift of salvation is an unconditional love, but obedience to the word of God is the condition for GodÕs blessing. Amend your ways, begin to dwell and it will be well with you.

An act of disobedience is a way out of His presence.

The purpose of believing is to have life in His name.

Tunde Soniregun