FROM THE HEART OF THIS BIBLE TEACHER/COUNSELOR/LIFE COACH:
Hebrews 10:24-25 New Living Translation (NLT)
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
NOTE:
The book of Hebrews was written sometime before A.D. 70. The New Testament believers had scattered around the known world because of persecution.
When you read through the book of Acts, you will find that the new believers did not build physical church buildings. They went from house-to-house, the market-place, by the sea, river, lakes, out where the people gathered, etc. The ‘meeting together’ was not in church buildings.
Today, with the restrictions of the COVID19 virus, it is being revealed whether believers have an intimate relationship with God or do they have a relationship with attending church. There is a major difference!
I have been counseling believers for 28 years, I find it necessary to teach the people how to have an intimate relationship with God that does include church attendance, but is not wrapped around the church activities.
There are 168 hours in a week. If we all attended church 8 hours a week (most do not), you have 160 hours in a week to sleep, work, attend school, family functions, etc.
How do we worship God and relate to God in those 160 hours that we are not in a physical church building?
Romans 12: 1 & 2 becomes practical to everyday living – “present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (AMP worship). Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Please do not wait to go to a church building to develop an intimate inner dialogue with God that governs every aspect of your daily living! We do this by digesting God’s Word! We are to become holy as He is holy by studying His character through the Fruit of the Spirit (Gals. 5). God is love – study the definition of love in 1 Cor. 13. When we submit to the Holy Ghost within us, we can become holy as He is holy!
Practice the presence of God in our personal prayer life daily (Romans 8 & Jude). Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying God’s perfect will and building up our most holy faith! Please do not wait to go to church to pray! Pray daily! Allow your life to become a prayer – how? Inviting God into every decision and action of our lives – then we will reflect the glory of God through our daily living!
Believers, please wake up spiritually! Attending a church service is a very small part of having an intimate daily relationship with God!
God created the family before He created the church. Every Christian home must become a mini ‘church.’ How we live in the home reveals our true character!
Yes, I believe in attending church when possible. But God wants you to serve Him with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength – 24 hours a day! This is processing all you do and say through God first – when your thoughts are holy, your feelings will be holy, your words and actions will be holy!
When we develop a daily intimate relationship with God, we will be bringing the anointing of God with us when attending a church service. Paul said, “Be ye filled with the Spirit!” When our churches are allowed to open again, go with the Holy Ghost overflowing from your hearts! Don’t wait to be filled up!
Fellowship daily with God, family, and friends through modern technology. Be filled to overflowing with God’s Spirit when you are able to enter the physical church doors!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!