Christian Living

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“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 NIV

“Have you found a church yet?” Ma asked me every time we talked over the phone. You see, when I was leaving Panama (my native country), one of the last things Ma told me was, “You need to find a church. You need to belong.” Well, for at least a year my answer was, “Not yet Ma.” Then came the lecture.

One day I was driving around and noticed a Christian Gift shop. I went in just looking around and started chit chatting with the owner. In our conversation I mentioned that I was new in the area and he asked me if I found a church. I told him that as a matter of fact my Mother kept asking me about that. He then handed me a pamphlet of the church he attended. I went home and asked God about the church and He told me to go. A few weeks later I visited the church. I felt at home and I knew this was the place for me and my family. As soon as I got home I called Ma and told her that I found a church. She was so happy and I could hear the relief in her voice. Let me tell you, I was relieved too!

I will share with you that belonging to a church have truly blessed me and my family. The greatest blessing was that my husband and son were saved and baptized. Glory to God!

The church is a place where Christians publicly declare their love for God, Jesus and each other. It’s a place where believers gather together in one accord to praise, honor, glorify and worship God. It’s a place where we learn and grow in God’s Word. It’s a place where we serve, instruct, encourage, comfort and uplift each other, we fellowship and commune with each other, and we pray for each other.

Yes, there are many reasons and excuses not to belong to a church, however, if you are a Christian and you are mentally and physically able, why not? I’m no Biblical scholar but it seems to me that church or more precisely, the gathering of believers, is important to God. The writings in the New Testament does not encourage living a Christian life in isolation instead encourages the gathering of believers, and gives instructions about church life. If you haven’t found a church yet, I pray that you will find and join a church that teaches and preaches God’s word. Trust me, you will be blessed!

Now, I leave you with a few scriptures to reflect on…

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NLT
“On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight.” Acts 20-7 NLT
“Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.” 1 Corinthians 8:13-14 NLT
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 NLT
“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV
“For husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” Ephesians 5:23-26 NLT
“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” Hebrews 13:17 NLT

For more on Christian Living, read my book A Time To Reflect. http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60696-304-3

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