Coming Together....

We need each other.

We were not put on this earth to be hermits, sequestered as individuals without the support of others. We need to be supported by each other - we need to give and receive that support.

When we come together as a group of believers, we have the ability to share the love of God in a unique way. By worshipping God together, the spirit of His grace transcends any conflict or problem. During corporate worship, God's love for each of us flows through us and refreshes our spirits, filling us so that we are able to go back into the world and share the love which God has showered upon us.

I often hear people say that they don't need to go to church to know God. Technically that is true. But choosing to not be in corporate worship diminishes one's ability to truly be a disciple for Christ. When we choose to not share in the worship of our Lord - in celebrating His goodness and wonder in our lives - we miss out on the opportunity to exponentially grow the love He has given us. We miss out on the opportunity to renew our spirits and refresh our souls.

Imagine you worked every day of the week, fifty-two weeks a year, without anytime off except for sleep. Would your energy and enthusiasm for your work remain the same or would it decrease? The same holds true for us if we choose to not participate in corporate worship. The time set aside for us to worship and learn together is time intended for us to reinvigorate our love for the Lord and to give direction for how we are to share that love with the world.

Each of us has a unique, one-on-one relationship with Jesus, but that relationship can be enhanced and deepened by consciously seeking out the community of other Christians.

We need each other and Christ has given us a community of believers to help support and guide us on this journey. He knows exactly what we need.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 16:13-24

Quote of the Day

Worship is first and foremost for His benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to
discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our
richest and most wholesome experience in life.

"A Heart For Worship" by Lamar Boschman

Question of the Day

What is your favorite part of worship?



Thing Worship

Thing One and Thing Two cause a great deal of trouble for Sally and Dick - but it was all started by the Cat in the Hat and all of his tricks....

Scripture Link: Isaiah 44:9-22

Things. We all have them. We all want more of them.

We want a bigger TV or the latest version of Wii. We want a new iTouch or iPhone. We want more money or a bigger house. We want new Nikes or new JBrand jeans. We want different food or different pop. We want the latest thing that our friend has...because our new thing is now old. We want...

We want and we want and we want...

But what do we need?

Wanting isn't bad. It is part of human nature to want something better than we have today; to strive for improvement in our own person; to better our own situation. This inner desire helps to move society along to advancements in medicine, charity, literature, music, education, etc. But when wanting turns to coveting (which is a fancy old-fashioned word for desiring), then we make the thing we want more important than everything else. Including our families, our friends, our churches, and most importantly: God.

Maybe your "thing" money - are you constantly worried about money or focusing on getting more money?  Maybe your "thing" is TV - are you consumed with thoughts about the latest TV show or what sports event you might be missing tonight? Maybe your "thing" is clothes - are you searching the internet or fashion magazines for the latest trends wondering how you will get your parents to buy you $295 boots or jeans?

In our scripture lesson this week God tells us that, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless.” (v. 9) When we have a “thing” first in our thoughts, first in our wants– it is an idol and it makes God anything but first in our lives.  God tells that the “things” we treasure above Him are worthless. Things – One or Two – are just tricks of this world. Things have no real value…they are worthless treasures. But God promises, “I will not forget you…Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (v 21-22) What is your Thing One or a Thing Two? God can help you “smash” your things – so that He can take the #1 spot on your want list…because He is already the #1 on your need list.

Fun Fact:

Dr. Seuss wasn't really a doctor and his name wasn't Seuss...Dr. Seuss's "real" name was: Teodor Giesel....And he went by Dr. Seuss because his father always wanted him to be a doctor...and his middle name was Seuss.

Question of the Day:

If you could change your name...what would you like to be called?