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| November 26, 2001 |
| "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:22-25 Quite often, when people are encouraged to put aside whatever is preventing them from attending services regularly, they will say: "Well, I really should be there, but I think God will understand." May I add, God has gone on record in Verse 25 here as saying, "Not forsaking the assembling. . ." He does not understand why some of His people willfully hold to habits of forsaking the assembly! God does however understand that we need to meet to praise Him and study His Word. God understands that others need the encouragement of our presence ~ we are a family that He put together! He does understand group fellowship, the power of people meeting together for mutual strengthening. But do we understand these things God expects of us? Many times we don't! That is why so many christians today allow Satan to bring on one little excuse after another into our lives until they are separated from our God and His assembly. Let me ask you this ~ how many of you missed your family get-together for Thanksgiving last week? How many of you will miss spending time with your earthly loved ones at Christmas, or weddings, or birthday celebrations? How many of you will make excuses not to show? My guess is 0! Well, Christians, God is our heavenly Father Who wants us to celebrete with Him when His doors are open! Let's not let Satan give us excuses! Application: Let us pray God will help us to understand the need, the purpose and the power of attendance of worship when the doors are open. Let us do our part in making the gathering of the saints a time of love, praise, and spiritual growth! It is a matter of spiritual life or death, really, not only for us, but also for others we are influencing. Think on this! May God bless you as you fellowship with your christian family today, giving thanks and praise to our Lord. Love in Christ, Sandy |