Bonnie Smith
Go!

What is “church”? Why do we go to “church”? While going to a church service can lift our spirits, encourage us and fulfill our need for fellowship, that is not the purpose. The number one purpose is to worship our King and Savior by pouring ourselves out as a living sacrifices onto His alter through worship and through our daily lives. “Church” is not just a building, it’s the family of believers all over the world...working together 24/7. Another very important purpose for attending church services, could be explained with an analogy of how football players come together to get their game plan, or soldiers mustering each morning to get their marching orders. Its not intended to be a place where we go so we can be made to “feel good” and especially not a place to evaluate the service like we were critics, commenting on what was bad and what was good. Let’s try to stop spending our energy on complaining about the service, music, songs or preaching and start focusing on “What is God trying to tell me?” and “What is He asking me to do?”. This way, we can leave each service equipped to do good works and be “filled up” for the purpose of going out into the world and pouring ourselves back out. Yes, we can become weary and heavy burdened and need to be refreshed and restored, which is where our time alone with God each day, comes into to play. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest..” Matthew 11:28-30 We must be diligent in going back to Him daily to be recharged and built up so we can effectively and passionately Go! The verb “go” is used 863 times in the Bible. As Christians, we are called to go and do! “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 So, as Soldiers of Christ, let’s meet weekly to get our marching orders and go into all the world and set the captives free!! By being living examples of Christ, leading the lost back to Him through grace and truth in genuine love and compassion! ❤️ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free...” Luke 4:18