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Devotional–The Blessings From Attending Church–From The Struggle of Sanctification by S. Johnson

Last Thursday, just before sunset, I heard a knock on the door. Looking through the slanted blinds, stood three women carrying two supermarket bags in each hand. My first thought was a food delivery at the wrong address. Yet, it didn’t make sense, how could three individuals be confused about where they were going? Without hesitation, I opened the door, prepared to tell them that I didn’t order food.

After looking at the smiling faces, I smiled back and said, Hi. They introduced themselves as members of a community church that has a monthly bread and pastry ministry. After receiving two bags, one of the sisters asked if they could pray for me to which I said yes. “What would you like us to pray for?” Immediately, I responded, “Pray for peace.” Following the prayer, the elder asked for my phone number and told me if I ever need anything to give them a call. No, they did not have the wrong address.

The request for a prayer for peace was not due to a personal struggle of inner conflict, it was for the community of Christian believers. Earlier, I was thinking of the detrimental effects of not attending church. God created us to receive happiness and spiritual and emotional strength from socializing and worshipping with each other. Intentional isolation from other believers prevents us from forming vital relationships with the Family of God. And Satan uses solitude to attack our minds with worries and anxieties which prevent us from receiving Jesus’ gift of peace.

Although church hurt is among the top answers for refusal to go to church, the reality is that many Christians do not feel the need to be around the body of believers. Yet, God is not in agreement with that mindset.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:5

Our spiritual insight is stunted when our daily interactions are limited to unbelievers. The carnal world resents that we believe in and serve an invisible God. What does light have in common with darkness? Without becoming active members of the family of believers, we cannot give or receive the validation needed to stay courageous in a wicked world. Isolation creates stony, self-centered hearts. In-person attendance allows us to become full of compassion as we learn to extend loving kindness not only to those who are in the body of Christ but also to those who resent us.

Yes, there are many spiritual benefits to attending church. In the house of God, we gain spiritual strength while singing, praying, reading the Scriptures, and hearing sermons because we are in the presence of God. Attending church breaks our normal routine and redirects our focus on the Creator. In-person attendance allows us to be around others striving for the Fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. Our love for God is a common characteristic that gives us a foundation to have healthy relationships with others who also love God.

Fact: Agape love produces spiritual bonding that can only be achieved with Christian brothers and sisters. And we can give and receive words of encouragement from like-minded believers who are also in the daily struggle of spiritual warfare.

I recall a time when I suffered an extremely harsh week at work. On Friday, while at work, I decided to stay home and not attend church on Sabbath. All, I wanted to do was rest the entire weekend. Yet, when I awakened on Sabbath morning, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go to church. For my obedience, I received a great spiritual blessing. Still, I was physically weary which impacted my emotional state of mind.

After the potluck lunch, myself and another sister were assigned to clean the kitchen. Sister H., “Sister Sonya, you look tired.” She did not ask me what was wrong but waited for my response before speaking again. On that Sabbath, 10 years ago, God gave me a second blessing. The Holy Spirit used Sister H. to pray with me and provide much-needed words of encouragement and wisdom.

We can easily present several points to debate as to why we fail to attend church. Always pray for discernment. Never be judgmental of others. The struggle is real. “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one…'” (Romans 3:10). Do not carry the weight of a spirit of offense. People will always say and do the wrong things. Not everyone is spiritually mature and some only attend church as a social activity, yet, God loves them as He loves us. Even so, as a follower of Jesus Christ, we cannot stand alone.

Jesus had 12 disciples to help Him to fulfill His ministry. John [the rugged Son of Thunder] eagerly followed Jesus everywhere He went. John, [the disciple that Jesus loved] experienced a total spiritual transformation from his close association with Christ. From beholding Jesus’ character, John the Son of Thunder became John the Revelator. 

Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal a Bible-based church that teaches Scriptural truths and has community outreach programs. When our focus is on Jesus Christ, we will enjoy the privilege of worshipping with others. Forming the habit of joyful fellowship at church prepares us for worshipping God with countless other believers who made it just like we did in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT

And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28

The zeal has risen to chase success. Social influencers, mentors, and ministers who once exalted God are eager to help us achieve social status and financial wealth. Those who have made it to the top of their game in the sports arena are known as Most Valuable Players. And that concept has infiltrated the mindset of most people who are striving to be among life’s most valuable players. Status and wealth are the most prevalent and valued worldviews.

Christians who once followed in the footsteps of Jesus’ lowly social status have exchanged biblical beliefs for today’s prosperity messages. They will not share their wealth or volunteer their time to help those in need. Pride has permeated the hearts of believers who have been deceived by Satan to accept worldly values. Although they attend church once a week, they are competing to climb the ladder of the elite–the rich, famous, and powerful.

Jesus’ disciples also had a separate agenda from his earthly mission. Because they envisioned Jesus setting up an earthly kingdom, his 12 disciples failed to understand His sermons and parables. Their minds were blocked by the true desires of the heart, yes, they craved status, power, and money. Yet, the brothers, James and John [Sons of Thunder] had a sense of entitlement and were bold and aggressive with their prideful arrogance. When they compared themselves to the other disciples, certainly no one else was entitled to sit next to Jesus when he became King.

“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.'” Matthew 20:20-21

What is very unusual is that the disciple’s mother approached Jesus. Remember this was a time when women had cultural restraints–they were seen and not heard. In biblical times, women were not forward with men nor did they voice their opinions. Yet, she advocated for her sons, James and John. The strong love of a mother’s heart gave her the courage to ask Jesus to give her sons the positions of sitting on His right and left hand in His kingdom.

Note that Jesus did not rebuke their mother. Although human, Jesus was divine. He discerned her request was from a mother’s love for her sons. The desire for Jesus to be King was foremost in James and John’s mother, His disciples, and the multitudes who followed Him. He read the hearts of those who misunderstood the purpose of His earthly mission. Yet, Jesus always demonstrated compassion in His interactions with others and remained steadfast in godly principles.

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.’ ” Matthew 20:25-26

Regardless of the disciple’s rowdy personalities, Jesus was aware that 11 of the 12 would experience a spiritual transformation. Yes, men with hearts that secretly possessed worldly desires would become meek and humble servants.

To follow Christ is to live a life of humility and servitude to others. Because of sin, our hearts are in opposition to being counted as the least. Yet, our earthly mission has been designed by God. The standards of discipleship are predetermined by God and are non-negotiable. Whether God has placed us in a position of status or lowliness [to represent Christ], a disciple must live a life of servitude to God and to humanity.

Prayer: God, we ask forgiveness for having agendas that include self-glorification. We ask for a spiritual transformation of our hearts and to live as Your disciples. Please reveal the areas in which we are to serve others. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Devotional–The Struggle of Sanctification–Making Lifestyle Changes

There are stories in the Bible that cause us to feel intense grief, the fall of Adam and Eve, the emancipated Israelites [Exodus chapters 12-14], Noah and the flood, Samson and Delilah, the rich, young ruler [Matthew 19, verses 16-22], and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats [Matthew 25, verses 31-46].

Because of their allegiance to the Egyptian’s pagan practices, God took the nation of Israel through the wilderness to achieve a spiritual transformation in them. Yet, due to their disobedience and love of paganism, a journey that should have been 11 days lasted 40 years. Sadly, the consequences of their refusal to obey God resulted in everyone 20 years and older dying without ever reaching the land flowing with milk and honey.

“Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not wholly followed Me…” (Numbers 32:11)

Throughout their 40-year wilderness journey, Joshua and Caleb were the only two people over the age of 20 who demonstrated steadfast faith, loyalty, and obedience to God. Yes, God rewarded His faithful two. Not only did they enter Canaan, but God appointed Joshua as their leader when Moses died.

Neither Moses, Miriam nor Aaron were allowed to enter the Promised Land because of their acts of disobedience. “And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is”(Deuteronomy 34:5-6).

Yet, God’s love and mercy were demonstrated for His faithful prophet and leader, Moses. In Jude, verse 9, Michael the Archangel, who is Jesus, came from heaven and resurrected Moses, taking him to heaven. Verification that Moses is in Heaven: “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him” (Matthew 17:3). Refer to Matthew 17, verses 1-8 for the story of the Mount of Transfiguration.

The Rich, Young Ruler represents those who value wealth over discipleship. He dutifully kept the law but had immeasurable wealth and social status that he loved more than becoming a disciple of Christ. “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:16-22).

The thought-provoking question “Have I lost sight of God’s standards of righteousness?” is quickly answered by our priorities and lifestyle. The time that we give to God in daily worship provides us with a definitive answer to the status of our loyalty and obedience to Him.

Psalm 95, verses 6-11 is a call to worship God with love, loyalty, and obedience.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.
10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.
11 So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest.

Just as an employer would not tolerate substandard performance from an employee, God requires a heart filled with 100% loyalty and obedience from us. Worship flows from the heart that loves God and has a steadfast relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. Human beings are creatures of habit. Praying and studying the Scriptures is a lifestyle that happens naturally when God is first and foremost in our lives.

Discipleship requires humility and is demonstrated by our outward activities of worship, witnessing, and seeking to help others every day. It is not enough to attend weekly church services or to share the love and saving power of Jesus Christ when we feel like it. Giving money to the Benevolent Fund does not replace active service in Community Outreach programs. Disciples are loyal to Christ and follow in His footsteps. If Jesus obeyed God, His Father, and served others, then God has the same expectation of us.

“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32)

For many years, I did not understand the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. The two groups represent Christian believers, not believers and unbelievers. Sadly, the goats served God, attending church once or twice a week and giving tithe and offerings but did not financially help others. Nor did they fulfill the Great Commission [Matthew 28:18-20].

This group of believers had their own agendas. And they were not filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. How do we know the goats did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ” (Matthew 25:44).

The characteristics of love, loyalty, humility, obedience, faith, and trust in God are requisites for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Our willingness to do the will of God prepares us for a spiritual lifestyle change. The Holy Spirit provides teaching, guidance, knowledge, discernment, and comfort to Jesus’ sheep–His disciples. We become aware of our spiritual gifts, spiritual assignments, and specific instructions on using our gifts and the stewardship of our money from the Holy Spirit.

Without love for Jesus, we will not pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal our gifts nor will we have an interest in truly serving God and others. Many are doing just enough to get by because their interests are in temporal things. They perform church duties or random acts of kindness because it is the right thing to do, but never receive pure joy from serving God. And they rarely give up their financial resources to help others, but quickly say, I will pray for you.

Like the freed Israelites, we do not have to end up living our lives in vain. Loving God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds produces humility, loyalty, and obedience for which we will be rewarded. We must persevere in maintaining our heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. With faith, we trust God by seeking Him daily through worship and living a faith-based, purpose-driven life.

Jesus is our Role-Model. Our spiritual gifts [and financial resources] are used to finish the work of Christ [spreading the Gospel and making disciples] as when He was on this earth.

Making a spiritual lifestyle change happens when we have a zeal to complete our Savior’s earthly work. Thankfully, we are never left to figure out the details of our spiritual assignments. The Holy Spirit will guide us.

We must consistently pray and study the Scriptures. Remaining steadfast in our faith keeps us connected to our Spiritual Team, God, the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God gives us daily instructions and provisions to complete His kingdom work. Great is His faithfulness! Allow Him to guide your earthly life and you will receive the reward of eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Amen!

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12)

Prayer: God, we need to make lifestyle changes. We ask You to anoint us with the Holy Spirit and to reveal our gifts and how to use them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.