April 17, 2024
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
Thanks to the internet and advances in technology in these modern times, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has spread and reached far more places much quicker than would have been possible without the internet. Due to this, souls have been saved, people have come to know Christ, testimonies have been shared of prayers answered just by touching the screens of their devices, miracles received by listening to live or recorded audios of sermons and lives transformed from reading Spirit inspired messages.
The internet and technology have introduced convenience in fulfilling many spiritual obligations, as believers, to the Church and to God. This convenience, if left unchecked, presents a risk of exploitation by the enemy. In the next few devotionals, we will explore the importance of the Local Church, what God says about it and why it is important for us to be plugged in.
The goal of the enemy is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a). As such, the enemy latches on to every opportunity to execute. One of the things he seeks to destroy is the active in-person fellowship of believers. The global pandemic of recent was an example of how the enemy sought to destroy the meeting together of believers.
Because of how easily the virus could be contracted, governments around the world enacted laws to prevent the spread of the disease. These laws, among many, included restrictions against the gathering of people in closed spaces, social distancing, self-isolation and the compulsory putting on of protective equipment or masks around the faces of persons all in a bid to curtail the virus.
All this took place in the natural realm and it appeared like the world was in turmoil…at least to the carnally minded. To the spiritually minded, it was an assault of the gates of hell against the Church as these restrictions meant that believers could not uphold the command to meet together as in Hebrews 10:25. Thankfully, the Lord had said in Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”.
Jesus, in His life here on earth and after His resurrection, had set in place the foundation for His representation here on earth through the formation of the Church. He gave us examples of the importance of close-knit fellowship among believers as an operating model for the Church to follow after His ascension to Heaven.
On earth, He kept fellowship with His twelve disciples, whom He regularly broke bread and shared communion with (Matthew 26:26-28) and instructed that they remain together and wait for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-3. It is this coming and remaining together, abiding in the love of Christ that the enemy so furiously detests and seeks the means, even up to and through the legislation of worldly laws, to frustrate. Again, thankfully, the Word of God is yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20) and cannot be broken (John 10:35)!
Despite these happenings, we can continue to uphold the place of meeting together as believers and enjoying the fellowship that is the will of God for us…Hallelujah!
Song of Worship
The Church is marching on – 2x
The gates of hell shall not prevail, the Church is marching on.
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You for Your Church, the body of Christ to which I belong. Thank you because even with all the enemy’s assault, I am able to meet in person with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Bible in 1 year: 2 Samuel 6-8