Why go to church?

In Acts 2:42 the Bible says, And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. What does this mean? I believe it means reading the Bible, going to church, partcipating in a communion service and praying for others. Many Christians think that they don't really need to attend church on a regular basis. They think I can watch a service on TV, I don't need to be in a church service. But the Bible says we should fellowship with other Christians and church is one way we do that. Recently I was reading Halley's Bible Handbook and this is what it said about going to church. "All Christian people ought to go to church each and every week, unless hindered by sickness, or necessary work, or some other necessity." Why? you ask. What do I get out of church? That question misses the point. We are not the purpose of the church__God is. Going to church should be an act of worship. Every Sunday belongs to Christ. If all Christians were to attend church every Sunday, our churches would overflow. It would mean power for the church. It would be a witness to the community__people who worship their Savior as a matter of love rather than convenience. The purpose of the church is to hold Christ before the people. The church was founded by Christ. Christ is the heart of the church, and it's Lord. The church exists to bear witness to Christ. Christ Himself, not the church, is the transforming power in people's lives. The mission of the church is to exalt Christ, so that He Himself may do His own blessed work in the hearts of people.

It is God's plan that His people, in every community, throughout the whole world, at this appointed time, meet together, in this public way, to thus publicly honor Christ.

However, all too often individuals use the church as a spiritual filling station. We run on empty all week and then expect the church to make up for what we do not do__spend time during the week reading and reflecting on God's word.

If we neglect the habit of reading the Bible, we go to church spiritually starved. We will look to the church to fill our empty souls. And we will be disappointed, because the church cannot, in one or two hours on Sunday morning, fill the void that we creat by neglecting the Word of God.

Come to church prepared. Read your Bible beforehand. You will be blessed, and Christ will be exalted! When I read this in the Bible Handbook, it really made me think about how much do I really read the Word and my answer was not much. I spend more time playing games on my computer and watching TV than I do reading my Bible and I believe that is the case for alot of Christians. So, what is the answer? My answer is to set aside a specific time each day to pray and read God's Word. I have been praying and asking God to give me the desire and the power to continue the work He began in me when I ask Him into my heart as Lord and Savior. We have to learn to love the Bible, be a regular reader of it and to strive to live by it's teachings. Christ is the Center and the Heart of the Bible and if we want to learn more about Him, we need to read His Word daily. I am going to commit to doing that, how about you?

Pattycakes

The Debt of Love

This morning I was taking my daily walk at the park (trying to exercise and get in better shape ), I was feeling kind of low and sorry for myself. I was wondering if the Lord heard my prayers ( not that I pray that often ) and I was thinking that I felt so far from the Lord and his Love for me. But then the Lord through several songs showed me how much he Loves me.
I was listening to the song My Tribute by Andre Crouch, it says With His blood He has saved me. With His power He has raised me. To God be the glory for the things He has done. Those are such powerful words and through them God showed me a vision of Jesus hanging on the cross with the nails in His hands and feet and the blood from His wounds covering us and cleansing us and making us white as snow and in my vision I saw a field of snow so white and untouched, that is what Jesus sacrifice did for us. Then the rest of the song says, How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee. To God be the glory for the things He has done.
All through the rest of my walk the other songs that played reinforced God's Love for us. He Touched Me, Wow what powerful words, Shackled by a heavy burden, 'Neath a load of guilt and shame. Then the hand of Jesus touched me . And now I am no longer the same. He touched me. O He touched me. And O, the joy that floods my soul.
There are so many wonderful hymns that speak of God's Love and Grace and His sacrifice of His Son Jesus for the redemption of our sins. At the Cross, Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, Rock Of Ages, O the Blood of Jesus, How Great Thou Art, Great is Thy Faithfulness and One of my favorites The Old Rugged Cross.( listen to the words).
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross.
The emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best.
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross.
'Til my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged cross.
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world.
Has a wondrous attraction for me.
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above ,To bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine.
A wondrous beauty I see
For 'twas on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died.
To pardon and sanctify me.
Think about that sacrifice, could you do the same thing, God did for us? Could you give up your son to save someone else? To God be the glory for the things He has done.
Jesus I love you and help me to show it to you more often. Thank you for the Love you have shown to us.
Pattycakes