Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 13, 2017
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7
Why do we value church? We value church because God values church. The imagery He uses to illustrate its importance is stunning. It is the picture of a pure and prepared people approaching the Lord, as a bride ready to be received by her husband. The Bride of Christ is the church, honored and loved deeply by Jesus. Yes, the church is made up of imperfect people, who one day will be made perfect, “…to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).
You may say, ‘I don’t need the church’, but to say this is to say I don’t value Jesus’ relationships. We automatically care for the spouse of a friend, because we honor our friend’s relationships. In the same way Christians who love the Lord, love His bride. Furthermore, we need the church’s prayers, accountability, community, fellowship, friendships, teaching, and worship. Pride resists the church, but humility engages with God’s people. Investing time and money in the church is investing in eternal rewards.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
The church needs you to engage enthusiastically. It needs your wisdom, your mentoring, your energy, your Bible knowledge, your experience, your service, your giving and your influence. Involvement in church is a two-way street of giving and receiving. Mature followers of Jesus graduate from ‘sitting and soaking’ to ‘serving and giving’. Church is a conduit for sharing Christ and growing in God’s grace. It is accountability to Almighty God.
Christ is ever building His church to overcome sin, Satan, sorrow and death. Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Do I value the church as Jesus values the church? Is church engagement a regular part of my routine? Meet God at church on Sunday to make Him known throughout the week.
“It [the church] was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, let my love for the church be like Yours: a groom loving his bride.Application
How can I support my local church with my time and money?Related Reading
Psalm 45:9-16; Isaiah 25:1-9; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2Post/Tweet today
Worship God at church on Sunday to make Him known throughout the week. #WisdomHunters #valuechurchWorship Resource
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I enjoyed your devotional today but not all people worship on Sunday. So the title leads it to say that particular day to worship. Yes we should worship the Lord at church but we many different faiths do not worship on Sunday. Some worship on the Sabbath as well. You also never know who is searching so getting to church when they can is important. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Worship God at church on Saturday to make Him known throughout the week.
Dear Catherine,
Thank you for reaching out to us after reading “Value Church”. You are right, it doesn’t have to be on Sunday. My guess is that Sunday is mentioned because a vast majority attend on Sunday but you make a good point and we are grateful for your response! We really appreciate it when someone in our Wisdom Hunter’s family follows up with a sincere comment. Thank you!
We are grateful for you, Catherine, and look forward to hearing from you again.
May God bless you in this new year.
Gwynne
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91: 1-2
Dear Warren,
Thank you for reaching out to us after reading “Value Church”. You are right, Saturday, too! We appreciate your comment and look forward to hearing from you again.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Blessings,
Gwynne
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.”
Proverbs 8: 34-35