Nehemiah: The Dung Gate
Heard a preacher speaking to pastor's say: Our churches need a "DUNG GATE" so that people with messed up, stinking lives can come on in...
I love that thought. I think as churches and groups of believers, we sometimes WALL ourselves off from those we are called to impact. We don't have a DUNG GATE that allows people who are not PERFECT, who are HURTING, who don't know how to "have church"-- it allows them passage into our circles.
The interesting thing I found was that the DUNG GATES actual purpose was to remove refuse from the TEMPLE to into the nearby VALLEY to be burned. The thought that people come into CHURCH and because of an encounter with GOD, they are cleansed, restored, delivered-- and they leave their crap at the altar. They lay their STINKING BURDENS at the feet of Jesus and walk away... SO then the TEMPLE is cleaned out.
I guess if we are doing our job correctly-- providing an atmosphere and an opportunity for those who don't know CHRIST to have a life changing experience with Him-- Then we will definitely need a DUNG GATE because of all the junk people will be shedding from their lives.
Father, as I write this... I need a DUNG GATE in my own life. In a 24 hour period I get some stinking mess stuck to me... some by choice and some just flung on me by the enemy. Thank you, for being a GOD that is not scared off by NASTINESS... You actually welcome in the NASTY. You called the NASTY, the UNCLEAN, the MESSED UP, the BROKEN, the UNWANTED and YOU MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. NEW, and FRESH, and LOVELY, and BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for doing that in my life. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.
Created 12 months ago
