John Bevere - When You Aren't Getting Fed in Church
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Now I got critical of my pastor, and what happened was that my pastor was one of the greatest teachers in the United States. I mean, he could open up a Bible and teach, and you would just be amazed by the revelations that would come from heaven. He was preaching, and I was getting nothing out of what he preached. I remember the big buzzword around my house for those six months was, "Honey, I'm just not getting fed in church anymore. I'm just not getting fed." Six months later, we went to another couple's house for dinner, and they were also on our church staff. I brought it up at dinner, saying, "You know, I'm just not getting fed at church anymore." They responded with the same thing: "We're not getting fed either."
Oh, did we have a discussion! I don't know what kind of discussion it was or what spirit it was, but it certainly wasn't the Spirit of God. Anyway, we determined that the reason we weren't getting fed was because God was allowing us to dry up on the vine. He was getting ready to launch us into our own ministries, and He didn't want us to miss this oasis of teaching where we were being so well-fed. We were so happy to leave! Two days later, I was in prayer. I can still close my eyes and see exactly where I was. The Holy Spirit said, "Son, the problem is not with your pastor; the problem is with you." When He said that, I was shocked. I asked, "What do you mean the problem is with me?"
The Lord replied, "What does Isaiah 1:19 say?" That was a scripture I knew by heart, so I quoted it from my prayer class: "If you're willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land." He told me to stop right there. He said, "Son, you're not being fed. You keep saying you're not being fed; you're not eating the good of the land." I responded, "Hold on! I am obedient! I do everything my pastor tells me to do!" The Holy Spirit replied, "Son, I didn't say if you're obedient, you'll eat the good of the land. I said if you're willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land. Yes, you're obedient, but your willingness—your attitude—stinks!" I suddenly realized what He meant. He showed me a time when I was a young man. I had a favorite TV show that I watched every Wednesday night, and Thursday mornings were garbage mornings.
As the only son, I was the garbage man of the family. My mom would always wait until just the climax of the program to walk in and ask, "Son, did you take the garbage pail down to the end of the driveway yet?" I'd respond, "No, ma'am." She would say, "I want you to do it right now," and I'd say, "Yes, ma'am." I looked obedient, and I even looked willing, but under my breath, I couldn't believe she couldn't wait just a few more minutes. He said, "Son, your attitude stunk. That's exactly what you're doing with your pastor." When He showed me that, I started repenting like crazy.
The next Sunday morning, I walked back into that church—same pastor, same series of messages, same seat, same church—and all of heaven opened up. I found myself in tears the entire time my pastor preached that morning because I thought, "What have I missed the last six months because of my attitude?" Let me tell you, God says if you're willing—willingness deals with your attitude—and obedient, you'll eat the good of the land. Bringing it to you from Hebrews: Hebrews says this: "Obey those who rule over you and be submissive." Obedience deals with your actions; submission deals with your attitude. God says if you're obedient in your actions and submissive in your attitude, you'll eat the good of the land, and it will be profitable for you.