During the present trouble that we all find ourselves immersed in with a world-wide pandemic and civil unrest, it's easy to forget who we are in Christ Jesus. The problems of the world can seem overwhelming and never-ending if we focus only on the troubles. But as Christ followers and the bride of Jesus we should be beacons of hope and our lights should be shining to dispel the darkness. We need to continually and earnestly seek God by reading and studying His Word daily. Now, as never before, Christians are suffering from persecution and our religious freedoms are in jeopardy. We have been told that we shouldn't be gathering for worship and many are fearful that the Carona Virus will spread within congregations.
How can we encourage one another and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if we can't meet and fellowship? Many pastors and churches have been offering worship services online, but that falls short of being with one another physically. We need one another to share our burdens, we need corporate worship, we need to join our voices in praise and prayer to the God who loves us.
Some of us are blessed with little churches and small congregations so we've been able to continue meeting. My husband is the pastor of two little churches and there are so many churches across the world that have fewer than 20 believers in their congregations, so it's fairly easy to keep our social distance and not exceed the recommended crowd limit. It was such a blessing to us when, after several weeks of not meeting, we met to worship for the first time. Perhaps Christians need to seek out small groups which will fulfill the need to worship, pray and praise together.
We are living in a time much like that of the first churches who met in the homes of believers, they broke bread and worshipped together with glad and sincere hearts. Those early believers can serve as a model for us today. If you can't worship in your home church maybe it's time to meet with a few of those folks and study God's Word in your home. It's not difficult to start a small group. Just invite a few Christians to your home, open your time together with prayer and ask God's Spirit to direct your worship. Open your Bible and read it together, then share your hearts with one another about what God is speaking to each one. Pray together and speak to our heavenly Father about your cares and concerns. He wants to hear from you and will always answer His children when they ask for specific needs.
I once led a women's Bible study and often there were only 2 or 3 ladies who came but Jesus said that where 2 or 3 were gathered in His name, He was in the midst of them. And He always, ALWAYS showed up and blessed our time together. God will be honored when we open and read His word and our prayers offered to Him will be a sweet fragrance to Him.
If your church is offering online worship, by all means tune in and also remember to continue to support your church financially. But during the week meet with another believer or two and study the Word.
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
How can we encourage one another and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if we can't meet and fellowship? Many pastors and churches have been offering worship services online, but that falls short of being with one another physically. We need one another to share our burdens, we need corporate worship, we need to join our voices in praise and prayer to the God who loves us.
Some of us are blessed with little churches and small congregations so we've been able to continue meeting. My husband is the pastor of two little churches and there are so many churches across the world that have fewer than 20 believers in their congregations, so it's fairly easy to keep our social distance and not exceed the recommended crowd limit. It was such a blessing to us when, after several weeks of not meeting, we met to worship for the first time. Perhaps Christians need to seek out small groups which will fulfill the need to worship, pray and praise together.
We are living in a time much like that of the first churches who met in the homes of believers, they broke bread and worshipped together with glad and sincere hearts. Those early believers can serve as a model for us today. If you can't worship in your home church maybe it's time to meet with a few of those folks and study God's Word in your home. It's not difficult to start a small group. Just invite a few Christians to your home, open your time together with prayer and ask God's Spirit to direct your worship. Open your Bible and read it together, then share your hearts with one another about what God is speaking to each one. Pray together and speak to our heavenly Father about your cares and concerns. He wants to hear from you and will always answer His children when they ask for specific needs.
I once led a women's Bible study and often there were only 2 or 3 ladies who came but Jesus said that where 2 or 3 were gathered in His name, He was in the midst of them. And He always, ALWAYS showed up and blessed our time together. God will be honored when we open and read His word and our prayers offered to Him will be a sweet fragrance to Him.
If your church is offering online worship, by all means tune in and also remember to continue to support your church financially. But during the week meet with another believer or two and study the Word.
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
