Issue 1350 – Meeting Together – January 20, 2023
Yesterday, it was back to worship as normal at our local assembly. Well, sort of. volunteers
There are still plenty of spaces where the walls and ceiling have been stripped of drywall, and the repair process has yet to begin. The fans were temporarily moved out of the way so the noise wouldn’t be deafening and people wouldn’t trip over the cords.
There is much work to be done, and no doubt crews will be at it again today. Still, we had an auditorium to meet in and washrooms that were functional. Kudos to the volunteers and staff who put things back together on Saturday evening.
Last week we “did church” online. I’m thankful for the technology that allows that to happen, but it isn’t the same as meeting in person. There is a huge social and spiritual component that happens when Christ-followers meet together face to face.
I was on the welcome team at the door, and it was delightful to watch the faces and interactions of people as they came in. People had missed one another even though the gap had only been a week. Many commented on how good it was to be gathering in person.
It had been a good reminder of the distancing that happened during the time of the virus that shall not be named. We were unable to meet in person, and all services were done online. That was a time of trial for many congregations, some of whom have yet to recover.
It’s no wonder that the Scriptures encourage us to gather.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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. Hebrews 10:19-25
Can a person be a Christian without attending? Of course. Will their walk be diminished by not attending? Greatly. They miss the opportunity to serve and be served. They lose the joy of being i community and fellowship.
For some believers, it is not possible to gather together with others. They live in isolated areas where there is no community of believers. Or perhaps they are in an area where being a Christian can bring severe persecution and death.
Still, most of us have the option of gathering for worship. Are you attending regularly? If not, you are robbing yourself of blessings, and you are stealing strength from the body. Whether you recognize it or not, every believer who doesn’t attend weakens the body in some way.
If it is at all possible, I encourage you to attend your local assembly weekly and find a place to serve.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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