(Acts 2:46) “United in purpose, they went to the Temple every day, ate at each other’s homes, and shared their food with glad and humble hearts.”
(Psalms 84:10) “for a day in your Temple courts is better than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather stand at the entrance of God’s house than live in the tent of wickedness.”
(Hebrews 10:24-25) “And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord coming nearer.”
Why is it so important to go to Church? Is not God everywhere and available to anyone that will call upon Him? Why does the Bible say “not to reject the meeting up with the other believers?” It’s very simple because we need each other. You need it more than you think, and you have a lot more to give than what you can imagine.
The first step in walking away from God is to stop going to the house of worship. This is true for all faiths. The moment you see that someone stops attending the regular prayer meetings, waking up for devotionals, or participating in the traditional ceremonies, you know something is wrong.
The unbelievers have found the secret to success, safety, and self-control, it’s called accountability. This is a key tool used in all addiction rehabilitation programs. In these gatherings, they share their experiences both good and bad. They look out for each other and correct each other when something seems out of place.
When you continually gather with others that have the same weaknesses that you have, tempted by the same things, and have conquered the same enemy, you become part of a community. The Church is basically that. It’s not a building, but a group of people that are weak in the flesh, tempted by sin, and have received victory over Satan through the blood of Jesus. It is a hospital for the spiritually sick or recovering where everyone is a patient and a nurse at the same time.
Ask your pastor today where you can be of service, and you will be surprised at how many needs there are. If you don´t have a pastor, then you are in danger of becoming cold in your walk with Christ as no one is checking up on you and no one is challenging you to grow. Can you be like David and truly say that it is better to be one day in God’s presence than 1000 years away from Him?
Probably the most important benefit of being part of a Church is that you can serve in God’s kingdom by serving each other.
Prayers
• Heavenly Father, you are the God of Elijah, Daniel, and David. Of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed Nego. We give thanks to you, for you are good and your love endures forever.
• Forgive us Lord for avoiding the gathering of the brethren of the faith. Forgive us for thinking that our intellectual knowledge of Your Word is more than enough for our spiritual walk.
• Help us Lord to get back to the joy of meeting with other believers. Change our hearts and give us back the excitement we had in the beginning when we were hungry to hear your Word from the preacher.
• Help us to motivate each other in good deeds and to humbly share what we have.
• Show us how much we can be used by you for your kingdom as we start to serve in the church. Give us the talents, finances, and wisdom needed to serve others and complete the purpose for which you chose to save us.
• Let us have the heart of David who preferred one day at your House of Worship than a thousand away in the world.
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• We ask in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.