While I
ironed my clothes to prepare for today’s Sunday service, so many thoughts
filtered through my mind, but the one that clicked was that “today, 30th
of Dec, 2012, was the last Sunday in the month and in the year 2013”...Hmm! it
has been a long journey I thought; if I were to be a pastor, this is one of the
“rightest” moments to do a spirit controlled thanksgiving. An opportunity to
just appreciate God for all the things he had done, from January to December.
OMG! it has been about 52 Sundays, wonderful experiences in God’s presence
irrespective of environmental conditions. Fortunately for me, I spent most of
my times in “The place where good things
never cease”; do you know where that is? My fellow house members would have
started echoing in their minds: This is CU- NIFES.
This blog
post is meant to be about SUNDAY and GOING to church, but I think there is no
harm in giving a testimony of what the house he put me in has done in my
life. In my few services in school, I have learnt to always come to every service with an expectant heart, heard words
that pierced and oriented my life for a better status in Christ, rejoiced and
praised God in diverse songs, that I can lose it praising my dad( A little
understanding of the Davidic dance), what it means to be in a family that cares
about your general well being, a family that cares about every fabric of human
lives as demonstrated in their arms : Rural Crusaders Activity Group(RCA),Campus
Discipleship Activity group (CDA), Children Evangelical Ministries (CEM),
Secondary school visitations (SSV), HOP( Hospitals and Prisons), CCE (Campus
city Evangelism)...etc all these activity groups are ran with the assistance of
God by students in school(where else would I have been?)... one of the greatest
changes this house brought to my life was acceptability and dynamism; breaking
the chains of denomination- The church I go doesn’t matter in my relating with
someone from another denomination, I was taught to look at the common factor (JESUS)
and throw away the differences, scriptures as the only doctrine (Anything
outside it is not for my health)......the list is endless. Thank God for such a
home, when I have somewhere Like that to look up to every Sunday,"wetin go make me miss sunday service"(pidgin)
Anyway,
back to the crux of the matter. CHURCH! Why
must I go to church? Is it necessary? Why do people go to
church? The beauty of Christianity is most times experienced when there are
people around you with like minds. One of the reasons Christianity spread like
a wild fire in the days of the old, was the communal living and family living
formulated and structured into the framework called CHURCH. Going to church is
good for you , because ; scripture puts it in this way in Heb 10:25 “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.(NIV)”
the same scripture in another translation reads “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(New living Translation)”. It brings an avenue, for
children of the same father, to come together, sitting at the feet of papa and
hearing him talk to them, to encourage a relationship for positive influence,
to encourage and exhort one another, to pull up one another when one falls, to
help you out when you are confused... it is very necessary we go to church (Don’t
ask me maybe if you don’t go wont you make Heaven? I do not know. But the
merits available here is worth it), even when Christ was to talk to John in the
book of revelations, he related to the people of that time based on churches,
it is an institution that has Christ right at the foundation of its root “And I
tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of Hades will not overcome it.(New Living Translation
(©2007)” ,I sure cannot guarantee you about what is available if you do
not go, but I can assure you of the availabilities involved when you go to a REAL one.
My emphasis
on the REAL in the previous paragraph is intentional, because for everything
that God created, Satan has his own replica... he could not have Holy spirit-
he brought about familiar spirits, he could not have angels – he had demons, so
also since Christ has a church, he has so many look alike of the churches, that
is why you have to be careful where you worship. Armed by the spirit of God in
you, the decision though confusing as it may be ... is made easy. All the
merits available in a CHURCH, the look alike are present in what they call a “church”;
it is my prayer that everyone reading this piece, find or is in the right place
in Jesus name.
What is
not? Church is not a cinema- you do
not come to be entertained but to be ministered to, church is not a fashion run way- it is not a place for display of
wealth in clothes and cars but there is no sin in looking good and riding a
nice car, if the motive is not to oppress, church
is not a money making business or venture – Giving is scriptural and
encouraged, for the work of the ministry to move forward. And sincerely, God
blesses a cheerful giver, Church is not
a Deliverance Centre – but you can sure go there and get your deliverance
from issues and other oppressions, Church
is not a place for catching wives and Husbands – but it is not a crime, if
two people genuinely meet themselves in a church, Church is not a psychiatric Hospital or Emotional Relief centre –
But you sure can be relieved of every weights, healed from every sicknesses,
given piece...WHY? Because the prince of peace is always present and he said
come unto me all ye that labour and I will give you rest (Matt 11:25 -30), Church is not a talent show off - but you sure can express your talents and
gifts in praises to God, with the
sincerity of heart, Church is not a
place for spiritual competition- Because all of us received grace unmerited
and righteousness by virtue of our belief in Christ Jesus, that whosoever
believes in him shall not perish...(John 3 : 16), None became righteous by
works, for our righteousness is like a filthy rag in his sight... live right
with people, knowing full well that they are co-heirs with you and not competitors,
it is not first to get to heaven...it is we all get there together.
Forget
what people have turned it to be, hinge on the right way it should be, look for
a bible believing and truth speaking church(under the guidance of the holy
ghost) and do not miss your Sunday services( Your week day services are also
important), for in each service, God has something for his people. Yes, there
are so many complaints here and there, the church has being divided into
different sections( Denominations) with some thinking heaven is meant for only
them and so many other doctrinal complications, but be not moved...for on Christ
the solid rock we stand. Be like the Berean Christians, search the scriptures,
pray and cultivate a personal relationship; for in him alone is grace, peace
and sufficiency found. Without him, you can do nothing (John 15: 3-5)
Brethren, May God bless us, even as we go to church;
preach Christ and not denomination name, Preach Christ and not your pastors
Testimony... Let all things be hinged on him, he is the author and finisher of
our faith. When you are confused, run to him. Let him be the focal point of your
salvation, because through him alone was he gotten and in him alone was
salvation found.
Probably,
there is someone reading this, that has not given his life to Christ, has
church been a church goer or is not even going at all... there is still chance
and Hope, Give your life to Jesus today
and enjoy unlimited Peace and relationship beyond limit. The works of the
cross, defies human understanding and the benefits are unlimited, ACCEPT him
today and enjoy. All it takes is just for you to believe!!!
I pray for
all who have read this, that understanding from the throne of grace showers on you. Let your Light so shine before men, that they might see your good works
and glorify your father who is in heaven. God Bless You
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