24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
I recently sent off a young sister back to her country. She was a graduate student who came to our church last year and spent a year studying and interning at MSU. During last week’s worship service, she gave her testimony, and shared how God spoke to her through the Saturday sermons and lifted her as she walked through many difficult times in life. Being a pastor, my heart was filled with gratitude and encouragement as I sat in the audience listening to her testimony. (I thank God for using me to deliver His word through weekly sermons to help and feed my sheep). I was deeply touched by God. What moved me most was the sister’s persistence in searching for a spiritual home in a foreign land. She attended church and fellowship regularly in her country, and had plans to be in the United States for only one year. Out of curiosity, I brought the subject up to her during a dinner we shared. In my mind, I could not understand why anyone would insist on finding a local church for worship during the pandemic, let alone just for one year. Besides, it is possible to worship online with her home church. In an unfamiliar place, it is even more difficult to readjust to a new church. What motivated her to search for a church? She shared with me that it was because she once lost “it” and now knows how to cherish “it” fully. Previously, she had spent one year in Australia working and touring. Although she was already a Christian then, her complete focus was on making money, so she did not have any intention to connect with a church, let alone attend worship services. Later, when she found her life a complete mess, with things gone wrong, she had no one to talk to. Only then did she realize that everyone needs a friend, and more importantly, a spiritual home, a spiritual companion, and a spiritual covering. Therefore, no matter where she is, she connects with a local church. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The Bible tells us very clearly, "Do not stop fellowshipping with the body of Christ," because as soon as we stop, sin and laziness begin to hold us back, driving us to go the "easy" ways, rather than the “right” ways. Brothers and sisters, how is your spiritual life today? Have you chosen to remain in the House of the Living God? The theme of our church (also our church's vision statement) for this year is "Be a Loving Family to a Broken World”. We all know the world is broken, but are you in a loving family? If you have a lot of frustration and dissatisfaction in life, do you first go back to God and examine our relationship with Him and with the church? Ephesians 1:23 says that the church “is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way." We are the church, to which God calls us together to be used to fulfill His purpose. May the Lord help us to see the importance of the church, the fellowship, the relationships and the unity of His body, so together we can build a loving family. After dinner, we gave each other a deep and long hug before we parted. Praise God for this sister who walked into our church, willingly shared her testimony of faith which encouraged many of us and left behind a beautiful friendship. Are you at home today? Comments are closed.
|
Archives
March 2024
Categories |