TOPIC: THE CHURCH IS IN THE WORLD AND THE WORLD IS IN THE CHURCH. FRIDAY JULY 14 TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-4 KEY VERSE: “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The carnal nature of man is the seat of pride and pleasure. It cannot be subjected to principles of righteousness and holiness. In the world, men indulge in all forms of fleshy pleasure to satisfy their pride and passions. In the world men worship their belly and money. Worldliness has now taken a front seat in the church. Those who come to church do not have God in focus. Many worldly activities have been incorporated into worship to satisfy the passion of the worshippers. The songs they sing carry worldly styles and inspiration. The music they play ministers to the flesh and fills the worship service with the wildest form of ungodly dance to satisfy pleasure of the flesh. The musicians are unconverted and sometimes dress in worldly fashion. Certainly, their worship is not to God. The sermons preached cannot convert anyone. They promote laughter and stir fleshly emotions. Some are mere motivational talks. Souls cannot be converted under such atmosphere. True believers must repent from worldliness in worship and steer clear from it. Holiness in worship is required to receive the life and blessing of God. Various activities and styles are adopted by ministers from the sinful world and brought into the church. Besides, being corrupt they produce corrupt fruit of Christian ministry. They promote respect of persons in ministry. They go into worldly dressing, demonstrations, and slangs. They forge lies and give false testimonies for self-promotion. They bring big men of the world into the church for honour and praise. They extract money from members through ungodly ways. They preach the gospel of peace and prosperity without repentance, righteousness and holiness. They take delight in the nakedness of women in the church and justify them, using scriptures. They commit immorality with the women in the church, they seek huge donations, tithes and offering from them for their belly. This kind of church or ministry is everywhere today. They are not called by God and cannot produce fruits for eternal life. You must not listen to them. Neither go to them for healing and miracles. True ministers of the gospel are those who are faithful to the word of God and manifest exemplary lives. These are the ones that have the message of eternal life for the world and the church. Seek them and their ministry. Listen to them and submit yourself to their shepherding for your well-being on earth and eternal rest with Christ. Thought for the Day: If your church is not feeding your soul well, take your exit before you suffer spiritual kwashiorkor. Song for the Day: I will never go back to the world anymore Bible reading for the day: Psalm 13-16; Acts 18