25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Do you ever feel discouraged? Are there times when it all doesn’t seem worth while. Does it seem like you are pushing a bolder uphill and you just hit a slippery spot.
It is interesting to me that when the author of Hebrews encourages Christians not to give up meeting together, the reason he gives is encouragement. It’s not worship or prayer, or listening to sermons. It’s not even sharing communion. It’s encouragement. We can pray on our own. We can worship on our own. We can turn on our television, radio or computer and receive great teaching.
The one thing we can’t do on our own is to encourage or be encouraged. I attended two Kairos meetings this weekend: Friday night and Saturday morning. We had great music, some practical information, but, bottom line: we encouraged each other. As we get closer to our time of ministry, Satan gets nervous and becomes more active. Anyone who had ministered in any way for any length of time has stories about how “things happen” as ministry time approaches. Notice how the writer of Hebrews notes this… “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” He could be referring to the day of Christ’s return… that certainly is approaching; but I believe he’s also referring to the Day as our time to be used by God. Encouragement is most important when the attacks are greatest.
Do you feel under attack and discouraged? Don’t give up meeting together. Further, don’t show up for the purpose of being encouraged. Show up to encourage. We are strengthened when we focus on the needs and attacks others are suffering. By bonding with others under attack we put our own situation in perspective and are, thereby, encouraged.
Go get dressed. The time changed last night so you still have time to Gather Together, encourage and
Bck
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