Weekly Devotion from Jesse

Sunday, July 11     This Week
Week of:    Jul 4, 2010, Jun 27, 2010, Jun 20, 2010, Jun 13, 2010
Topics: GETTING CLOSER TO GOD, GROWING IN YOUR FAITH, FINDING GOD'S TRUTH, DISCOVERING GOD'S WILL

LOOKING FOR A CHURCH?

Passage Of the Day:

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25 (New King James Version)

Insight - Application & Encouragement

Insight:

God knows that we won’t do very well in our Christian faith if we are not connected with other Christians. As much as we try to do it all alone, the fact is that we need each other. One tangible example of this is the decision we make each week to go to church. God doesn’t want us to miss the blessings that come from being a part of a church family.

Application:

What are some key things to look for in a church?

1) A church that is through the roof (Mark 2:1-12):
Notice how the four friends cared for the paralytic. The church is designed to be a place of healing and bringing people to Jesus. The friends are very loving and persevere in this passage. Our church recently was praying for a boy who had necrotizing fasciitis, and God miraculously healed him.

2) A church that is not in a cave (1 Kings 19:3-9):
Elijah was scared, discouraged, and hiding from the world. The bottome line was that he was wrapped up in himself way too much and staring too long at his problems. A church needs to be courageously reaching out, not intimidated by the world or selfish in their community.

3) A church that is in many jars (Joel 2:28-29 and 2 Corinthians 4:7):
God celebrates diversity, and we should too. Look at the Joel passage and the range of people who have received the Holy spirit to minister. Even though we have bodies that have physical challenges sometimes, God has placed His treasured Holy Spirit in us.

4) A church that is not in the dust (2 Kings 22:8-2 Kings 23:3):
Israel was in a spiritual funk and no longer growing because they got away from The Bible. Sadly, it was collecting dust in the temple. Fortunately, their king named Josiah insisted that the nation turn to God and return to the Scriptures. A church should be teaching accurately each week from the Bible and giving people good spiritual food to eat.


Questions:

1) Have you had good or bad experiences at church?
2) What do you look for when you visit a church?
3) Do you have a church home now and are you really connected?
4) Why do people skip church?
5) Why do you think God doesn’t want us to miss church?
6) How has going to church changed your life?
7) Is there anyone you can invite to church this week?

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for the churches in my city. I pray today that you would bless the pastors and leaders in all of the churches. I pray for the wisdom to know which church should be my church family. Please help me to get connected. I don’t want to skip church, but I want to grow in my faith. Help me to have the right attitude at church so I don’t miss a blessing from you. I pray this in Your Name Jesus, Amen.

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