I think we may have found a new church home through the blessings of our Heavenly Father.
I had posted some time ago that we had been searching for a new place to call “home” and there were many tears and prayers along the search.
Ironically, it was a lesson in “waiting” that came off a page of “When Wallflowers Dance”.
Psa. 27:14-Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
Waiting is so hard for the Christian.
Ever said a prayer and just felt like you were sitting there with your toes tapping, thinking…okay…something should happen.
But it is definitely a part of the Christian journey and a woman, at a women’s bible study, I was able to attend for the first time, describe waiting very well.
She talked about how we live in a fast pace society where we expect things now and often trade quality for quantity. Just because we can get,whatever it is, right now doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for us.
So why was it important that we find a new church home. It’s a vital component to the Christian growth and maturity.
Yes we can just turn on the television set or radio, but when you think about it, think about the lack of accountability and the lack of personal interchange that really happens.
There is no church elders or pastor, that when something spiritual, emotional, mental, or just need to be there, arises, that a television show can offer as finding a church home that is biblical based can provide.
Church is more than just a support group and it’s not for entertainment; It’s for support, encouragement, accountability and conviction.
And going to church and having fellowship with other believers, isn’t an option, it’s a necessity that hiding behind a computer or watching a television can’t really supplement.
From the article,”Why Christians Need Fellowship“, it is wonderfully explained that,
“So it is within the body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor. 12:27). For the blood of Jesus Christ to have its continual cleansing effect over our sins, we must remain attached to Christ’s body. If we sever fellowship with His body, we risk cutting off the circulation of the cleansing blood!
Keep in mind, salvation is based on “faith,” and is not earned by performing “works” such as attending Church (Eph. 2:8-9). But fellowship with Christ’s body, the church, is critical in helping to sustain your faith by providing ministry, encouragement, and an atmosphere of spiritual “cleansing” and growth.”
Imagine how much harder it is to fall from grace or follow God’s word when you know you have a body lifting you up and helping you up.
The reality is that we are ALL imperfect and no one is perfect and can never get perfect without the help of Jesus Christ, but we aren’t going to get there, trying to do this alone. We need each others as brothers and sisters to help each other in our walk and there is a difference in our walk when we are among fellowship with those who can help us when we feel like we can’t make our walk.
It’s easy to say…I don’t need to go to church, I’m fine but a quote that I came across came to mind,
“A famous preacher once said “show me a professing Christian who seldom attends Church, and I’ll show you a backslider who needs to get their heart right before God.”
Yes, I know the saying that going to church is like going to a garage doesn’t make oneself a mechanic, but never going to church at all or finding reasons not to go is also the same as a plant that never gets water, will never grow.
Dr. Dale A. Robbins, provided eight great reasons why a Christian should go to church. In “Why Should Christians Attend Church?”, he stated:
1. It is an expression of love to our Heavenly Father
Seriously, if you really care enough about someone, part of that is wanting to do everything to get to know them and what better way, but through the fellowship of other Christians.
2. Builds up our spiritual strength
The difference between a carnal Christian and a spiritual Christan is one degree of choice. We can choose to run from God and ourselves or we can choose to say, no matter what, my relationship with Jesus Christ is more important than what other people think, what the world thinks and that as a Christian, I want to grow strong and mature and it helps to have that through active, face to face, fellowship with other Christians.
The only thing that really keeps a person going isn’t the church itself. There are plenty to choose from, but it’s our own choice. We can say, I’m going to ask God in prayer to lead me to the church, HE wants me to be at and I’m going to actively look and open myself up to what I’m being led to and part of that is by not just being passive but active.
3.Special visitation of the Lord’s Presence
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).
There is nothing like being in a sanctuary and listening to a pastor preach and singing words of praises and worship with other people and just feeling the power of the Holy Spirit running in a room.
4. Provides fellowship with other Christians
Yes we have television, radio and computers, but there really isn’t any connectivity or accountability like we can get from meeting either weekly, twice a week,or even daily with fellow believers. The advantage of having face to face contact, is having that living person to help provide the needed support and guidance that sometimes just relying on an inpersonal machine doesn’t provide.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17)
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:24-26).
5. It’s an obedience to God
Truth is that no man is an island. We isolate ourselves and we dont’ have that check and balance to making sure we are walking in the face.
I think this quote sums it up best,
“Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).”
Being a Christian isn’t something to hide in our homes about.
What is more humbling, there are Christians who are not able to gather due to persecution but who still do and risk their lives and face death, to come together in the name of Christ.
6. Accountability to spiritual leadership
We’ve all been hurt. We’ve all been to churches that just didn’t fit right or whose hurt us,but it’s not God, it’s people.
That’s not a reason still to give up seeking a strong, bible believing church that is there to help encourage and strengthen. Imagine if you gave up, everyone else gave up….There will be no church…there will be no guidance.
It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders.
The t.v. pastor doesn’t know you or what is going on in your life; He is not there to guide you and help you with questions.
It’s easy to hide in an impersonal worldand think, “I’m in control” , I can do this myself but is that really submission and truly growing and maturing as a Christian? After all, that type of thinking made us fall in the first place?
7. Going to church combines our strength in prayer
In a sense, being a Christian is being part of a spiritual army that works as a body not as a part. Imagine going to battle and the only person is just you; Not really great winning odds, but as a Christian, as you build those vital fellowship links, the strength through and in Jesus Christ does grow.
In times of sickness and in health, just having that power of prayer behind you is helpful.
8. Honors the Lord’s Day
Can’t really say much there.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8)
I’m very grateful to our Heavenly Father that it seems He has led us to a very strong, bible believing church that, for as few times we have gone.
Already we have begun to be involved with the bible studies going there and thinking of either joining or starting a Life group to become more active participants there.
Looks like this is the one.
What makes me feel more at home? One of the things that really help was during the sermon and even during the bible study, the rustling of bibles being opened and search….music to the ears.
There is always a church home somewhere for someone and it’s just a matter of keeping persistent and keep looking; When hearing and understanding God’s word is the goal, He will open the door for you.
Related links:
Why Should Christians Attend Church?
Why Should Christians have fellowship?
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17
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