Day 7 - Week 49 - Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

"...and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Oh how we could go on and on regarding the closing phrase of this week's verse.  Lots and lots of things we could discuss here.

First and foremost, we are urged to be consistent and faithful in our fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters, to exhort each other, all through the centuries...but "so much the more" as we see "the Day" approaching.   Seems to imply that the closer we get to the day of Christ's return, it becomes more and more important for Christians to bind together in unity and in common purpose.

Makes sense, doesn't it?  Think of all the warnings that we are given as to the times prior to Christ's return.  Jesus tells us, ""Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come." 

Can you see why it will become more and more important to encourage each other to remain faithful?  To join together in worship and praise to our God in the midst of our trials?  For those living at that time, it will be imperative to hear the words of James, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

The other thing that I think bears noting is that we will be able to "see the Day approaching."  There are always those who say, and quite correctly, that no one knows the day of Christ's return.  And no one does, and no one will.  But we are told to watch and be ready, to be aware of the times and the seasons, and as this verse states, alert Christians will be able to see that the Day of Christ's return is growing near.

There are many, and I tend to agree with them, that believe this glorious Day is approaching.  How quickly, we cannot say.  But there are many, many signs in our world today that are unprecedented and, to me, indicate that things are on a fairly fast track toward Christ's return.  And as we move closer and closer to that Day, I encourage all of us to heed this week's verse to remain faithful to the fellowship of our Christian brothers and sisters.  To become more enthusiastic in our faith and to be more and more willing to share our testimonies of what Christ has done in our life with those around us.

One thing that we can say without any uncertainty, the Day of Christ's return is nearer than it has ever been before.  Challenge your faith now so that it will stand firm in times to come.

Dear Lord, I ask you to strengthen our faith...to set our hearts on fire for You so that we are not found to be lukewarm in our commitment to You.  Whether Your return is near, or still years and years away, help us to be ready.  Give us an urgency to share Your message with those around us, for we never know how much time is left for each of us.  Help us to be encouragers to each other, uniting with our brothers and sisters in standing for You.  We love You Lord...help us to love You even more.  In our Savior, Jesus Christ's name....Amen.

Day 6 - Week 49 - Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Robert J. Morgan writes, "The local church is the only institution Jesus established on earth.  He didn't found hospitals, civic clubs, mission agencies, Bible colleges, or crisis centers.  Many of these organizations come out of the local church and are sponsored by it.  But the local church is Ground Zero for God's work on this earth.  The church is God's agenda for this world."

Jesus told Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."  We are also told that the church is Christ's bride, awaiting the return of her bridegroom, and we know that Christ's bride will be in existence when He does return.  So, we have confidence that the church has never disappeared, and remains today, as "God's agenda for this world." 

The church has certainly gone through change throughout the centuries since Christ ascended.  There are those who say we are to replicate the 1st century church, but it seems to me that we are called to be the 21st century church.  We have been placed in 2012 to ensure that God's message is conveyed to the people of our time. The church is where the message must be proclaimed that this world does not provide the truth that we seek.  As Robert J. Morgan puts it, "We need a weekly counter cultural experience to counter the culture we're in.  We must counteract the popular culture in our lives.  When we go to church, we're participating in a global weekly network of people doing the same thing at the same time; we're participating in an ancient practice that goes back to the origins of the church and to the very beginning of the creation and involves all God's people of every epoch and age; and we're involved in a habit that the Bible says is increasingly vital as time draws to a close." 

We cannot abandon the agenda.  We cannot change the message.  The methods of conveying the message may change, but the message remains the same...go back to our first four verses of the Bible's cornerstones and then our five verses of the Romans Road and refresh yourself in the message of the truth of God's Word and the way of salvation that is so imperative for a dying world to hear.

We need the church...we are the church.  We cannot forsake coming together as a body, or the body will be weakened and will become ineffective.  We need to continue to show the world the good works that the church has historically provided in times of need...orphanages, hospitals, medical care, disaster relief. 

Never fear, the church will always survive...it is God's agenda.  We must never forsake it.

Day 5 - Week 49 - Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

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!

Day 4 - Week 49 - Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

As instruction to us on how to successfully live as Christians, the writer of Hebrews tells us not to forsake the assembling together with other Christians.  Why is it important in our Christian walk to stay in fellowship with fellow believers?

One reason is included in our verse...because believers exhort other believers when we meet together.  Exhortation - Greek word, "Parakaleo"...and listen to some of the definitions:

to admonish to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort to encourage, strengthen to instruct, teach I see all of these things happening within the church family.  The church is a place of admonishment when we need correction; the church is a place where we are consoled when we are in need of comfort and consolation; the church is a place to find encouragement and strength when we are are feeling weak; the church is the place where we receive instruction in understanding God's Word.  See why it is so important to find a church home and attend regularly?  Without this piece of our Christian life, we cannot grow in the same manner that we can when we have it firmly in place.  God knows that this life is hard, and He knows that going through it alongside a community of like-minded believers makes the journey not only easier for us to bear, but also that we will learn it's lessons in a more profound way.  Others help us to understand.   Our perspectives may be limited and sometimes skewed by past experience...but a solid Christian sojourner can sometimes be just the voice we need to hear to help us see what it is that God is showing us through our current circumstance. The Christian life is not meant to be travelled alone.  We are called to be humbled into receiving help from others along the way, and to be that same help to those who come along beside us in their time of need.  Just as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:4... He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. I have been fortunate to have been in a church environment all of my life.  It seems the most natural thing in the world to me.  But I know there are many others who have not had that background that being in church every Sunday morning would seem, if not a chore, at least compulsory rather than what you really wanted to be doing on a Sunday morning.  But I promise you, if you will prayerfully seek a church where you can come together with other believers in worship, find true Christian fellowship, and start learning more of God and His will for you, you will grow to love this time so much.  You will grow to love the people that you see and the smiles on their faces as they worship their Father. I'll close with these verses from Ecclesiastes 4 reminding us of the strength in being bound together... Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!   Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?   Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.