RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;
18TH JUNE, 2018 ; PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME;
HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR MISSING CHURCH SERVICES ;
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
A young man told the story of how he hadn’t attended church services for about four years, due to his tight work schedule. Moreover, there was no local assembly close to where he lived. That’s unacceptable. If you’re a Christian, you MUST be a member of a local church, and have no excuse for missing church services.
If there’re peculiar situations or challenges that hinder church attendance protractedly, there’re ways to go about them. You can participate live in church services through several online platforms that are available. If the constraint is distance or even the unavailability of internet service, you can request from your local assembly to pioneer a branch where you are. You can even volunteer your home as the venue.
Moreover, if you’re sure you have the spiritual maturity to be the coordinator, that’s okay too; just let the authorities in your local assembly know. There’s no reason good enough for any Christian to keep skipping church services.
The church is a place of hope, succour and solution. It’s a place of solution because in church, the Word of God is taught, and the knowledge of God’s Word is what puts you over in life. In church, your faith is built strong, and you also have the opportunity for rich fellowship with other believers and the Holy Spirit.
When those who were in Caesar’s house couldn’t come to church, what did the Apostle Paul do? He helped them start a church in Caesar’s palace. Think about that! And in Philippians 4:22 he made reference to the saints in Caesar’s household. We do the same for those who have been incarcerated for different offences and are serving jail terms that could span many years. We set up a “church” right inside the prison, so they’ll learn, fellowship and grow in Christ.
There’s no excuse good enough for continually missing church services. So, like the Lord Jesus (Luke 4:16), have the culture, routine, and personal discipline to always be in church when you should.
PRAYER
I’m so glad that I’m an active member of the church of the living God, where my life is constantly being upgraded with the Word. In your presence and fellowship, I’m continually built, strengthened and established in the truth of the Gospel, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Timothy 3:15; Luke 4:16
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 7:54-8:1-8 & 2 Chronicles 31-32
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 & Isaiah 4