Why You Should Go To Church

“Does it take all of that?”

“Is it necessary to go to church in order to have a relationship with God?”

 

These questions and many more like it are continuously rising up in Christendom.  The topic of attending church is one that people have always disagreed on and most likely will continue to disagree on until the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

I was inclined to write this blog post after reading an article this morning on the Christian Post entitled, “7 Reasons Why People Choose Not to Attend Church.”

 

Yes, there are many reasons why people choose not to attend church, but my question is:

 

Do those reasons negate the necessity to fellowship with the body of Christ?

 

In a society and a culture that is constantly bombarding us with different points of view, it is vital that the child of God base all of his/her decisions strictly off of the word of God.  As it relates to the issue of attending church, the Word of God declares:

 

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

 

This passage of scripture makes it clear that fellowship with a body of believers is essential to the believer’s growth.  When we assemble ourselves together, we are able to encourage one another in our walk with Christ.  Each and every one of us needs encouragement and attending church gives us the opportunity to express our love for not only our Lord and Savior but for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Another very important aspect of this scripture is in the last part, “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  We are living in a day and time where the love of many is waxing cold.  Jesus Christ warned us that as His return approached, the world would continue to grow more and more wicked.  We are definitely living in that day and time.

 

For this reason, we (the body of Christ) have to be careful to not be sucked into beliefs and opinions that are contradictory to the Word of God.

 

Yes, people have their reasons for not attending church.  But, my question is:  Why Should You Attend Church?

 

I will give you seven reasons why:

1.  You will find strength and encouragement among the body of Christ.  Hebrews 10:24-25

2.  Your faith is built through the hearing of God’s Word.  Romans 10:17

3.  We learn our place in the body of Christ and how to utilize our gifts and talents for the kingdom of God.  Ephesians 4:11-15

4.  We experience a greater move of God when we are in the midst of other believers.  Acts 2:1-5

5.  It is the place where healing, deliverance and miracles take place.  Some things you need can only be found in the house of God.  Mark 1:23-27

6.  It is a house of prayer—a place where prayer abides and lives.  It is easier to get a prayer through in God’s house.  Isaiah 56:7

7.  It is a place filled with other worshipers, people who love and adore God.  Psalm 55:14

 

These are just some of the reasons why I believe you should go to church.  I pray that you were blessed.    Please leave your thoughts and your comments on this subject that is vital to the body of Christ.

Peace and Blessings.

 

 

 

How to Overcome Your Challenges

“You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle.”
― Shannon L. Alder

There is not a person alive that has not faced challenges.  Each and every day life presents brand new challenges.

So, we can conclude that the question is not whether or not we will be challenged but when.  A better question is:

How will you deal with and overcome life’s challenges?

I am inclined to believe that the true measure of a man or woman is not what they deal with but how they deal with it.

If you are interested in learning more about how to overcome your challenges, continue reading.

1.  Develop and exercise your relationship with God.  

We have so many relationships in life, but the most important relationship that we will ever have is our relationship with God.  By developing and exercising our relationship with God, we are well on our way to overcoming each and every challenges that comes our way.  The bottom line is that people will not always be there when we need them.  Frankly, they are not there at sometimes that we deem to be the most trying times in our our lives.  But, God is always there!

Just as He declared to Joshua, God declares to us in His Word:

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

2.  Develop and exercise your mind.

The Word of God reveals to the child of God the importance of transforming and renewing the mind.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2, KJV)

The child of God cannot deal with things in the same manner that the world does.  In order to overcome our challenges, we have to seek God for His mind concerning our situations.  The Word tells us:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:(Philippians 2:5, KJV)

In order for the Christian to overcome life’s challenges, he/she must be willing to work on the mind.  The battles that we face in life begin first in the mind.  Our outlook will most likely determine our outcome.  We should make it a daily practice to work on transforming and renewing our mind.

3.  Develop and exercise your prayer life.

Prayer is the way that we communicate to God.  It is our opportunity to lay all of our hurts and disappointments at the feet of a loving and caring God.  It is our stress reliever!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.(1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

There is no doubt that God cares about everything that we face whether it seem big or small in our life.  Those that we love the most may not always respond to our worries and anxieties the way that we feel they should.  There are times when we may feel like it is us against the world.  But, when we call on God through prayer, He is sure to answer.

Never stop praying. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIV)

Last but definitely not the least:

4.  Develop and exercise your faith.

For the child of God, faith is our access to all things in life.  It is the key that unlocks every single door.  There is no challenge that the child of God faces that cannot be overcome through faith.  The Word of God speaks of the significance of faith in the believer’s life:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

The believer’s faith signifies his trust in a God that never fails.  Without developing and exercising your faith, the challenges of life will become overwhelming.   However, when we stand in our faith, it protects us from being succumb by the many challenges that we face from day to day.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10)

By following these steps, you will be sure to overcome your challenges and live a victorious life in Jesus Christ.  Be blessed!

Please leave your comments and your insight on how to overcome the challenges that we face in life as Christians.

How To Change Your Life Forever

Are you seeking permanent change in your life?

Have you come to a place in life where you are ready to do something different?

The Joshua Code Challenge is a way to do just that.  This challenge inspires you to memorize and meditate on a different verse of scripture each week.  The key is to not just memorize the scripture but begin to apply it to your life.

Review a copy of this awesome book here:

Application of the Word of God brings about permanent change in your life.

I have often found myself frustrated with life and my progress or lack thereof in life.  After serving God for over 10 years, I have come to realize that everything that I need can be found in God’s Word.  I have to admit that my failure lies in not always applying His word to my life.

It does no good to memorize scripture without application.  The Word of God declares in the Book of Luke 6:49

But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (NIV)

The Joshua Code Challenge is an awesome way to develop a habit of not only memorizing scripture but meditating on that scripture throughout the course of a week so that it becomes a part of who you are.  If we truly desire permanent change, we have to be willing to do things differently in our lives.

We are currently in Week 2 of the Joshua Code Challenge, so it is not too late for you to get started.  Last week’s scripture can be found in Genesis 1:1:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

We were challenged on last week to meditate on our worldview:

What is it that you believe and most of all, why do you believe it?

The Word of God declares in the book of Matthew 24:35:

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words will never pass away. (NIV)

If we cannot depend on anything else, we can depend on God and His Word.  Everything around us changes on a daily basis, but God never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Now that we are in Week 2 of the Joshua Code Challenge, we are memorizing and meditating on the following scripture:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

This is one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible.  On this week, we are challenging ourselves to really explore the depth of this scripture and what it means for our lives.

Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice so that we would have access to life of abundance, joy, grace and peace.

By applying John 3:16 to our everyday life, we will have an experience that will cause our lives to change forever.

If you have taken the plunge and become a part of the Joshua Code Challenge, please leave your comments on how being a part of this challenge is transforming your life one week at a time.

May God bless you and prosper you on this week!

What Is Your Worldview?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth–Genesis 1:1

 

Have you joined the Joshua code challenge?

 

The Joshua Code Challenge is a great opportunity to explore God’s word through memorization and meditation.  It is based on the word of God found in Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 

Most of us are searching for more success and more prosperity in our lives, but my question is:

 

Are you willing to do what it takes to achieve success and prosperity?

 

The Word of God contains all that we need for abundant living.  Many of us (myself included) vow to do things each year to make our lives better than it was the previous year.  But what I am discovering as I continue to live is that many times that vow is harder to keep with each passing year.  We continue to do the same things in life expecting different results.  The truth of the matter is:

 

Change is hard!!

 

But I thank God for second chances each and everyday that I awake.  So, today you have the opportunity to take advantage of that second chance by embracing God’s word and putting it into action in your very own life.  This is exactly what I am seeking to accomplish by taking the Joshua Code Challenge.  I am vowing to memorize one scripture a week for the next 52 weeks.  And guess what?  You can do the exact same thing!

 

Let’s take the plunge together and challenge ourselves to not only memorize and meditate on God’s Word but put His Word into action so that we can experience the success and prosperity that we all desire so much for ourselves and for our families.

 

I challenge you on today:  step out on the Word and take that next step towards receiving everything that God has in store for you.  The scripture declares in the book of James:

 

But don’t just listen to God’s word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

 

This is exactly what I am seeking through the Joshua Code Challenge:  a greater level of application!  Join me on today and let’s see where this challenge takes us.

 

You may obtain a copy of this awesome Kindle book for only $2.99

If you are indeed a part of this great challenge, please leave your comments on how taking this challenge is transforming your life.  It’s all about encouraging and inspiring one another in our walk with Christ.  I am anticipating Week 2!

The Joshua Code Challenge

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

 

 

Do you ever  find yourself saying, “I need to read my Word more?”

 

Have you set numerous goals to pick up your Bible more this year than last year?

 

If your answers to these questions are yes, I can guarantee you that you are not alone.

 

I find myself saying the same thing year after year, and I never quite reach the goal that I have set for myself. Nevertheless,  I refuse to give up because I know that my strength is found in the Word of God.

 

Thus, the Joshua Code Challenge. I came across this book in my email and it instantly caught my attention because I love anything that will bring me closer to God.

 

I decided to purchase this book, the Kindle edition is only $2.99.

 

You may also check out this interview with the author of the Joshua Code to find out more information behind the inspiration of this book.

 

 

I challenge you to join me in the Joshua Code challenge and to draw closer to God through memorization and meditation on the Scriptures.

 

Please leave your comments and your thoughts about the Joshua Code challenge.

I look forward to learning with you and growing with you over the course of the next 52 weeks.

God Bless!

The Enemy Within

The ancient curse will not go out painlessly; the tough old miser within us will not lie down and die obedient to our command. He must be torn out of our heart like a plant from the soil; he must be extracted in agony and blood like a tooth from the jaw. He must be expelled from our soul by violence as Christ expelled the money changers from the temple.–Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

As I was reading this awesome book on today, I came across the above referenced quote. I connected with the words on a very real level and felt compelled to share my thoughts.

In this passage, A.W. Tozer is speaking emphatically about the struggle that the child of God has with his personal desires. His will versus the will of God.

We live in a world that is caught up on having “things.” If we are not careful, we will end up being overcome by those very same desires.

We wrestle with ourselves on a daily basis to bring our hearts and minds into alignment with the heart and mind of God.

A.W. Tozer describes this as a violent struggle; one that is not to be taken lightly. The old man, our carnal nature and fleshly desires will not yield willingly to the spirit of God.

The details of this passage reminds me of the process of having my wisdom tooth removed just a day ago. In order to remove this part of me that was causing me severe pain, I had to be willing to go through additional pain and agonizing. The extraction of my tooth was a violent procedure but it was one that had to be done.

I can’t help but think about how a tooth that seemed like such a harmless part of my body eventually turned on me and could have potentially caused me extensive hurt and damage.

This is a prime example of what our natural and fleshly desires can do to the child of God if we don’t keep them in check. They will turn on us and cause us to become so consumed with them that they drown out the will of God for our lives.

Our livelihood is found in the will of God; pleasing Him and fulfilling His desires for our lives. This requires a constant and consistent renewing of our mind and our heart.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good,pleasing and perfect will.