#29 – Let us Gather Together! – September 12, 2024

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as  you see the Day drawing near.”

                This verse has a lot of meaning, in that it encourages us to assemble together in fellowship and love for one another.  My commentary explains that the word consider means to “contemplate” or “to have an intelligent insight into”.  The love and good works for one another need to be stirred up in our minds and hearts. 

                Too many have lost the feeling of love for one another and neglect meeting together.  Perhaps they’ve had a bad experience with a certain congregation and believe that all of them are the same.  From one of my articles in January, 2019, I wrote an article entitled “Church is Hard” sent to me by Pastor Andrew Brougher.  I’d like to repeat it here again.

                How many of us can recognize one or more of these statements?

Church is hard.  Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgment.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom; surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow/widower with no invitation to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the choir member overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics in the song.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman/man praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.  Church is hard for me.

                Many of us don’t realize just how hard it can be for so many.  Family is hard. Just trying to get by from pay check to pay check is hard.  Fighting an illness, or physical injury is hard.  The loss of a loved one is hard.  Simply put…life itself is hard.  Many believe that they aren’t worthy of attending church.  They are the very ones that God is waiting for; to let them know that they are the ones He died for.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; He died to make them worth it.”

                Even the most dedicated Christian can be overwhelmed by life.  They are often ridiculed for their belief. Sometimes they just feel guilty for passing up an opportunity to present the gospel to another. Many times, as I have, we feel guilty because we’re tired and miss our morning or nightly Bible reading.  But the good thing is…God knows our hearts and knows that our love for Him remains the same. 

                On Sunday, September 22, our church is holding what we’re calling a “Round-up Sunday”.  We want to encourage others who may be looking for a church, or those who may have stopped going to church, for whatever reason, and want to begin again, or for those looking to expand their knowledge in the Word of God to attend.  They may realize that there are congregations that need them also. 

                Our congregation is small but our “Round-up” is not just to increase our congregation, even though we’d love to.  It’s to offer others something that they may have known at one time, to begin again, or for the first time.  The days we are facing and living through are difficult times.  We need to encourage one another because the Day of our Lord is drawing near.

                I want to express to you that not attending “our” church is okay.  Attend a church that you can be accepted at.  A church that can teach you…instead of preach to you.  Learning in the Word of God is paramount in understanding the purpose God has for your life. A person needs and desires a good fellowship and a need of a “family” that can support your doubts, your confusion, and your need for a Savior to help in time of need.

                Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  This tells us that we can approach the house of worship with confidence and receive the love and mercy from God.  A church of truth is out there and waiting for YOU.  Don’t pass it up because, in the days to come, it will be a stronghold and a foundation you will need to get through this thing called LIFE.

                Joseph Wirthlin from “Virtue of Kindness” says it best: Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things or have perfect thoughts or have perfect feelings.  The church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other.” 

                Don’t you want to be a part of that?  Don’t we all?

Nancy Stoppe                     

Stoppe123@comcast.net

 (Jenner Township Baptist Church, Boswell, PA 15531)

Blog – inspirationalinsights6.com

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