Evaluate All Excuses
Evaluate All Excuses | February 25, 2024
One Sunday morning, two men were out fishing in a boat. After several hours on the lake without catching a single fish, one of the men said to his friend, "You know, we probably should have stayed home and gone to church this morning." The other man said, "Well, I could have stayed home, but I couldn't have gone to church." "Why's that?" asked his friend. The fisherman answered, "My wife is sick."
That man's answer isn't too far from how we treat church attendance. When going to God's house, we sometimes exaggerate our circumstances. We make time for the things we want to make time for in life, e.g., trips to the beach, softball, working out, or fishing. Although these are all wholesome activities, they should not come at the expense of your walk with God.
Church attendance is vital to your overall growth as a Christian. This perspective eventually spills over into your Bible study group attendance and connection to other edifying opportunities the church provides. As a result of having a more substantial commitment to God, your spiritual competence and discernment will get stronger. It will prove indispensable when those trials and troubles come your way.
Perhaps this is why the writer of Hebrews instructed all believers to focus on encouraging others toward the saving faith in Christ by faithful church attendance. The context of these verses ties to the events of the Second Coming of Christ. Whether it's the Rapture or natural death, when God calls you home to heaven, let Him find you committed to Him and not your schedule.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Let us never neglect our church attendance or Bible study groups for selfish reasons. If a family member is sick, staying home to provide assistance and support is a legitimate reason. Sadly, our fisherman friend decided that his wife was too ill to attend church, but she was well enough for him to go fishing.
Remember, the choice is yours. You are as close to God as you choose to be.
That man's answer isn't too far from how we treat church attendance. When going to God's house, we sometimes exaggerate our circumstances. We make time for the things we want to make time for in life, e.g., trips to the beach, softball, working out, or fishing. Although these are all wholesome activities, they should not come at the expense of your walk with God.
Church attendance is vital to your overall growth as a Christian. This perspective eventually spills over into your Bible study group attendance and connection to other edifying opportunities the church provides. As a result of having a more substantial commitment to God, your spiritual competence and discernment will get stronger. It will prove indispensable when those trials and troubles come your way.
Perhaps this is why the writer of Hebrews instructed all believers to focus on encouraging others toward the saving faith in Christ by faithful church attendance. The context of these verses ties to the events of the Second Coming of Christ. Whether it's the Rapture or natural death, when God calls you home to heaven, let Him find you committed to Him and not your schedule.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Let us never neglect our church attendance or Bible study groups for selfish reasons. If a family member is sick, staying home to provide assistance and support is a legitimate reason. Sadly, our fisherman friend decided that his wife was too ill to attend church, but she was well enough for him to go fishing.
Remember, the choice is yours. You are as close to God as you choose to be.
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2024
January
Focus On FaithfulnessBe Faithful Where You Are NowFaithfulness Requires Patience God's Perfect FaithfulnessGod Blesses FaithfulnessStart Your Year In ChurchGod's Forecast Of Forgiveness Avoid Self-Pity You Can Overcome Distraction White As SnowJumpstart Your Health With FastingMaintain An Active Church Membership Your Most Important DecisionTake Ownership Of Unhealthy Choices
February
Take Notes When Reading The Bible Alternatives To AnxietyYou Need A SquadGod Has Super Bowls Of BlessingFocus On Obedience, Not the Odds We Accomplish More Together Kindness Is Good For Your HealthKindness Is Remembered And RewardedLoose Lips Sink CredibilityKind Words Promote HealingEvaluate All ExcusesTreat People RightComplaining Is Not HealthyLeap Forward In Your Faith
March
2023
August
Good Decisions Require Discernment Live By God's PowerPraying For Real ComfortGetting In Rhythm With GodAvoid Self-Righteous PrayersKeep Your Promises With GodMercy Leads To HappinessAddress Any Self-Righteous AttitudesPraying With ConfidenceHow Does God See You?Turn Away From Whatever Gets You StuckStop Talking About Your ProblemsOur Prayers Reach God's EarsStress Management Starts In The MorningFollowing ChristNavigating The Darkness Of This World Measure God's PromisesLittle Light Of MineGet Your Priorities In OrderPraying Without Results Can Be ToughYou Can Overcome DoubtPray ContinuouslyRescue-Me Prayers Practice Inward KindnessTrust God's TimingSurrender My AgendaFocus On Being A River Rather Than A ReservoirGod's Gracious CoveringYou Are Never Out Of God's ReachSeek God With No Strings Attached
September
Rise Above Your AngerGod Is Fully Aware Of Your AdversityAll The Days Of My LifeBalance Rest And LaborStrive To Always Be SincereBreaking The Habit Of WorryPrayer For Students And SchoolsAn Antidote AnxietyTrust God And Leave The Results To HimDeclareSeek God For Strength Fatigue Makes You Vulnerable To Temptation Put The Work Of Waiting Into MotionTrust In God Leads To Blessing Are You Teachable?BelieveMeditate On Scripture To Manage StressThink Through Your Actions Get Back On God's PathOur Father Who Art In HeavenHallowed Be Thy NameYour Kingdom Come, Your Will Be DoneGive Us This Day Our Daily BreadForgive Us Of Our SinsLead Us Not Into TemptationDeliver Us From The Evil OneFor Yours Is The Kingdom And The Power And The Glory Forever. AmenGetting Out Of Your Mental PitYou Can Have Unshakable Faith
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