오늘의 묵상
교회가는 것은 평범한 사람들에게 그다지 끌리는 일은 아닙니다. 하지만, 그 사실이 놀랍지는 않습니다. 지침이나 훈계에 따라 행동하는 것을 즐기지는 않기 때문입니다. 또한 타인을 위해 행동하는 것은 별로 필요한 것으로 보여지지도 않습니다. 하지만, 성령의 말씀은 우리가 하나님의 사람들과 함께 있어야 하는데, 그들이 우리를 필요로 하기 때문이라고 상기시켜 주십니다. 그들을 격려하고, 동기를 부여해 주기 위해서라고 말입니다! 사실 주님께서는 교회에 "가는" 것보다는 우리 스스로가 교회가 "되는" 방식으로 생각하기를 원하시는 것 같습니다.
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!
내 기도
아버지, 제가 정기적으로 만나는 그리스도인 모임을 축복해 주십시오. 함께 모여 당신을 존귀하게 하고 서로 격려할 때에, 제 말과 태도를 통해 그들을 축복해 주십시오. 당신께 가는 여행 동안 나눌 수 있는 사람들을 허락해 주셨음에 감사를 드립니다. 예수님 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.
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.
