Full Turnaround!

Based on 2 Chronicles 4-6, John 10:24-42

"it came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God." 2 Chronicles 5:13‭-‬14

So much happens when the people of God turn to Him in unison! This temple was a place of worship, but Solomon also made it clear that it was a place to turn back to if they ever lost their way...even the stranger could turn & pray toward the temple, from wherever they were at, and they could be able to connect with God! Now of course, we can communicate to God freely & directly through prayer without facing toward the place where this temple stood, but sometimes it helps to have a place you can see. That actual place of refuge...and that's why church is so important! We can't dismiss the power of gathering as one Body in His presence! All of these Scriptures included today reference groups which become one: Israel, sheep, etc...God wants that individual commitment, but he also wants the FULL turnaround from ALL people!

"yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; if they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee."

2 Chronicles 6:37‭-‬39

The temple was full of the glory of The Lord, and the courts were PACKED with all the tribes of Israel gathered in unison! Such wondrous things happen when we have unity with God's church & the Body of believers! But again, if we find ourselves captive, lost, alone, or part of the wrong group...we can always turn back with our hearts grounded in Truth once again! And the best way for us to do that is to come to the altar of the church and lay it all down! Yes, we can pray alone, but when we are going through a problem in life, we never want to suffer alone. We don't usually have the strength to do it ourselves. So, when the church gathers around us to pray with us, we are uplifted immensely!

"Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

John 10:25‭-‬28

We need to be sheep! Sheep stay in groups. Sheep have a leader. Sheep will have eternal life because they know how to follow our Great Shepherd! Jesus chased after the lost sheep. Not the lost goat that wanted to stay on the fence. Not the lost wolf that had bad intentions. But the lost sheep, who just wanted to find their way back home. The sheep, who wants that full turnaround, to be with the Shepherd again, but also with the church! Sure, we may have all been wolves or goats at a time, but if our hearts truly desire God, we become sheep of the flock! And He will stop at nothing to bring us into His pasture...so we must stop at nothing to meet Him for that full turnaround!