Gedanken zum Vers des Tages
Für die meisten Menschen ist es keineswegs attraktiv, in die Kirche zu gehen. Aber das sollte uns nicht überraschen. Etwas aus Disziplin zu tun, ist nicht gerade populär. Es wird nicht als Notwendigkeit angesehen, etwas für jemand anderen zu tun. Die Botschaft des Heiligen Geistes erinnert uns jedoch daran, dass wir Gemeinschaft mit Gottes Volk suchen sollen, weil es uns braucht, um es zu ermutigen und zu motivieren! Ich glaube sogar, dass der Herr die Vorstellung, dass „wir Kirche sind“ der „in die Kirche gehen“ vorziehen würde.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Going to church" isn't very attractive phrase to many folks. This reality shouldn't surprise us. Doing things as an act of discipline isn't very popular and often isn't easy. Plus, doing things for others doesn't always fill our hearts with joy — although it probably should. On top of these realities is another spiritual reality that may be even more important: "going to church" is a concept nowhere found in Scripture — church is not a place we go, but something we are! The Holy Spirit's message in our Verse of the Day reminds us that WE need to be with God's people because they need us to encourage, bless, and motivate them! Church is a gathering of Jesus' disciples to honor him and bless each other. The Lord would prefer us to think of encouragement, comfort, and exhortation as being church rather than gathering in a box we fill to worship him. But don't misrepresent this truth. The Holy Spirit isn't saying we can skip out on gathering together. He is commanding the opposite. "Assemble! Don't quit meeting together," the Spirit commands us here. Where we meet isn't nearly as important as gathering together and blessing each other when we regularly meet. Each of us needs encouragement to keep living for Jesus as his return grows ever nearer!
Mein Gebet
Vater, segne die Gruppe von Christen, mit denen ich mich regelmäßig treffe. Segne sie durch meine Worte, meine Gesinnung und meinen Einfluss, wenn wir zusammentreffen, um dich zu ehren und einander zu ermutigen. Danke dir dafür, dass du mir Menschen schenkst, mit denen ich die Reise zu dir nach Hause teilen darf. In Jesu Namen. Amen.
My Prayer...
Father, please bless the group of Christians with whom I regularly meet. Bless them through my words, attitude, and influence as we walk beside and encourage each other to honor you. Stir me to bless your disciples and encourage them to live for Jesus as we await his return. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
