Cheering Each Other On

Affirmation

It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.

Claude M. Bristol 1891-1951, American Author of ''The Magic of Believing''

Heb 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. NASU

Do you believe? It is the most important question you can ask yourself today. You may have said you believed at one time in your life, but where is your heart now, do you still believe? Are the heavenly things that Jesus promised you still in your sights today, do you still truly believe? Affirmation is important isn’t it, we all seek it, we seek for someone to say that our direction and life’s meaning is worthwhile don’t we.

For us to stay in the race it’s nice to hear the cheers from those on the same track. We, as Christians should make encouragement a regular part of our fellowship and worship experience. Paul tells us that for us to hold on to that original confession, without wavering, we should be stimulating each other towards love and good deeds, and the only way for us to do that is to be seeing one another on a regular basis.

I think that the Church is failing in today’s world mainly because we are not seeing enough of each other. Some churches have cut services back to once a week, and I am sure that isn’t enough time to be encouragers of one another in the service of Christ our Lord. The world has succeeded in some cases of putting the church in their closet of convenience, they do not hold fast their hope, and they do not stimulate their hope with encouragement. Instead they through in a few moth balls of “Yes, I believe in God, but I can find Him and worship Him without going to church, I don’t have to be with others to worship.

I believe if everyone that felt that way would go to the Word of God, they would always find that God “happens” in the midst of people. He loves people, and He interacts with them. You are not going to go to the mountain and become a monk to experience Him, you will experience Him in being with others and in helping others. A simple glance at the life of Jesus will tell you where you should be, and what you should be doing. TV preachers are fine, but experiencing true worship can only be felt in the presence of other believers of the Body of Christ. And if you go to the hospital or if your family has needs, a TV preacher isn’t coming to “your” house or to your bedside.

Love is time, and if you really love God you want to spend time with Him. The best way to do that is to meet WITH the Body of Christ at every opportunity, it’s a good habit to get into, it will preserve you and me for that approaching day…God Bless.

Pastor William