(By Kim)

In the gospel of Luke, chapter 1, Gabriel, the angel of the Lord appeared to two people – Zechariah and Mary, but both their responses were exactly opposite. Through Zechariah and Mary, I am going to draw a parallel and share with you in two parts on our blog, the kind of churches we see in existence today. In the first post in this two part series, I shared about What Kind of Church You Shouldn’t be.

In this post, let’s look at what kind of church attracts the move of God.

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Focus is to please God’s heart

Ever wonder why did God had to choose Mary over other virgins living in Israel at that time? Was it because Mary was beautiful? Was it because she was well off?

The Bible says in Proverbs 31:30, Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. I believe Mary lived in the fear of the Lord. In simple terms, she loved God too much to put anything above Him, not even herself.

God is looking at a church that is not focused on the outward activities but its focus is to please God’s heart, above everything else.

Humble enough to take God at His Word

Humility means total dependence on God. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Like Zechariah, when the angel appeared to Mary, she too asked a question. But unlike Zechariah, Mary’s question was not based on unbelief, rather out of humility and a genuine eagerness to see God’s plan unfold in her life.

And her response was the delight of the Father. She said, “Lord, it looks impossible to me, but if you are in it, I am in it. ”

I don’t care what the world has to think or say about me.

I don’t care if I have to upset some belief systems.

I choose to fear you than man!

Desperate and hungry

In Luke 1:53, Mary sings, “He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.”

This tells me that Mary was hungry for a move of God. She knew the Old Testament well and as had been prophesied she was desperately waiting for the Messiah.

We seem to be waiting for God, while God is waiting for someone who is desperate and hungry for him, and whose focus is to please His heart.

…That He might birth forth the God-destiny into our wombs.

…That what He deposits in the inside of us may shake the nations, for His glory alone.

Church, lets get ready!