Worship or Not to Worship?
"Do I have to go to church today?"
Freezing rain, slippery roads, sent because of a choice that frigid temperatures, blowing and didn't' involve a meteorologist. drifting snow-it has been a treacherous and seemingly endless winter. We have cancelled worship services and even when we were able to gather the attendance has been low.
Believe it or not, the end of this season is "thankfully" approaching. But a concern remains as the ice and snow thaw, what is the condition of our hearts? While weather may be a legitimate reason for many missing worship, many more have been absent because of a choice that didn't involve a meteorologist.
Worship participation is a spiritual discipline or habit as the writer of Hebrews indicates "Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing" (Heb 10:25a GNB). Our failure to worship may actually reveal an indifference or even an unacknowledged disdain of worship and therein also God's Word and Sacraments that are shared at that time.
I think we may all have those moments when we wake up and roll over and say, "Do I have to go to church today?" instead of, "I get to worship today!" Jesus warns us, "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold" (Mat 24:12 ESV). In fact, one might suggest that a spiritual winter continues as people make additional excuses for putting God and His church second and other activities first. Jesus does also include a promise, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Mat 24:13 ESV).
Let me help you with a decision you may be pondering- the answer is WORSHIP. Spring is on the way!!!
"Do I have to go to church today?"
Freezing rain, slippery roads, sent because of a choice that frigid temperatures, blowing and didn't' involve a meteorologist. drifting snow-it has been a treacherous and seemingly endless winter. We have cancelled worship services and even when we were able to gather the attendance has been low.
Believe it or not, the end of this season is "thankfully" approaching. But a concern remains as the ice and snow thaw, what is the condition of our hearts? While weather may be a legitimate reason for many missing worship, many more have been absent because of a choice that didn't involve a meteorologist.
Worship participation is a spiritual discipline or habit as the writer of Hebrews indicates "Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing" (Heb 10:25a GNB). Our failure to worship may actually reveal an indifference or even an unacknowledged disdain of worship and therein also God's Word and Sacraments that are shared at that time.
I think we may all have those moments when we wake up and roll over and say, "Do I have to go to church today?" instead of, "I get to worship today!" Jesus warns us, "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold" (Mat 24:12 ESV). In fact, one might suggest that a spiritual winter continues as people make additional excuses for putting God and His church second and other activities first. Jesus does also include a promise, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Mat 24:13 ESV).
Let me help you with a decision you may be pondering- the answer is WORSHIP. Spring is on the way!!!
