One of my favorite "together" times is my women's Bible study group on Tuesday nights. This is a great time of being united with Christian women who encourage me in so many ways. Just seeing their smiling faces each week reminds me that I share a faith that brings hope and joy. I know our verse is generally used to encourage Christians to not become lackadaisical in their attendance of worship services, which I absolutely agree with, but anytime that you can come together with other Christians in an atmosphere of worship, of study, of prayer together, is not to be missed!
As Christians, these times should be our priority, for they are times that add so much to our earthly lives. They bring growth, they bring joy, they bring the knowledge that we are not alone in our struggles. When we have doubts, we hear that others may have had the same doubts, and which of God's words spoke to them at that time. When we have trials, someone may share God's words of encouragement that He will work through those trials to bring about His completeness to our lives, just as He did in theirs. What better company can we hope for than the company of fellow Christians who have the same goals as we do and who are walking the road of faith along with us?
On the flip side, we cannot isolate ourselves and never form relationships with those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Savior, for then we can never be effective in bringing them to a saving faith. Balance - everything in our lives require it. We must not forsake the assembling together with other Christians where we are continually replenished with the hope and joy that Jesus Christ brings to us, and we must not forsake those in the world who need to know the source of our hope and our joy.
Find a church body - find a Bible study - find Christians who you can praise and pray with...find a "together" place!
As Christians, these times should be our priority, for they are times that add so much to our earthly lives. They bring growth, they bring joy, they bring the knowledge that we are not alone in our struggles. When we have doubts, we hear that others may have had the same doubts, and which of God's words spoke to them at that time. When we have trials, someone may share God's words of encouragement that He will work through those trials to bring about His completeness to our lives, just as He did in theirs. What better company can we hope for than the company of fellow Christians who have the same goals as we do and who are walking the road of faith along with us?
On the flip side, we cannot isolate ourselves and never form relationships with those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Savior, for then we can never be effective in bringing them to a saving faith. Balance - everything in our lives require it. We must not forsake the assembling together with other Christians where we are continually replenished with the hope and joy that Jesus Christ brings to us, and we must not forsake those in the world who need to know the source of our hope and our joy.
Find a church body - find a Bible study - find Christians who you can praise and pray with...find a "together" place!
1 comment:
Jesus Christ does bring we joy and hope. I have always attended church, Sunday School - and only a few bible studies. I'm finding out how really shy and unable to articulate verbally with others. I've always just "listened". The bible study I am attending requires talking and sharing. I love listening to the other women sharing their feelings and their beliefs. I am growing, slowly, in my walk with Christ. I see the importance of gathering together and sharing, it makes me feel so much "like I am seeking" God's Word. Not just by myself in my own little mind, but outwardly and openly "assembling" together for the purpose of sharing God's Word. I plan to continue and fight against Satan and his lies telling me that I am not worthy. I will prove him wrong against Christ's truth that I do belong and I will be able to speak aloud shout praises and share my stories. Fellowship
feels good. Learning about God with others feels great. I will feel joy in my timid
anguish in a small group setting. I want to be "together" with others, and get to know them, their names, their kinship in sharing. I can't get enough I want more and more - time with others talking about Jesus. I grew up in a strict, traditional Southern Baptist home, always in church on Sunday mornings. But, - we never really spoke about Jesus when we got home?? I want to learn and grow in my knowledge about the bible , AND to speak about it! Thank you Janice for inviting me to bible study.
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