April 20, 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
As much as we recognise the convenience that the internet has afforded us, especially in staying remotely connected to our physical church, there is the risk of getting comfortable with this convenience to the point that it becomes an unprofitable habit. Like most behaviours of the sort, they often start small, probably with a genuine reason at first and then gradually, a reason becomes reasons and reasons become excuses and before long, the desire to meet in person to fellowship with believers in the house of the Lord becomes difficult. James 1:14 and 15 sum this progressive disinterest “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death”.
The Bible admonishes against this behaviour according to Hebrews 10:25. Instead, we are encouraged to meet together regularly to encourage one another. The King James translation says to exhort one another. There are benefits to this. One such benefit is the spiritual impartation that the anointed minister of the church stands to bless church members with, especially for those who come in person. Paul points this out in Romans 1:11 “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established”. When we meet each other in person, we receive impartation and we are established!
John the Apostle in 1 John 2 verse 12 preferred to see face to face than writing (which was like the internet back then) “Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full”. In seeing face to face, praying, praising, worshipping, sacrificing, offering and serving the Lord, our joys become full.
When we come together in person to fellowship, we are in line for corporate anointing. When we are in God’s presence praying and worshipping in love and unity, lifting up holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8), God shows up in a corporate and tangible way. The atmosphere becomes charged with the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as things begin to happen under the unction of the Spirit. This encounter is seldom experienced on one’s own, viewing through a screen, or listening on a device. Just ask the disciples on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
The Bible records in verse 1 through 4 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”
The Psalmist says in Psalms 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘let us go into the house of the Lord’”. Let us be like the psalmist. Let us desire and look forward to the meeting together in the house of the Lord.
Song of Worship
We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the Lord– 2x
As we offer unto Thee, the sacrifice of thanksgiving, as we offer unto to Thee, the sacrifices of praise.
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for the impartation of Your Spirit, the fullness of joy and the anointing I receive when I go to church. Let me be eager and glad to fellowship in the company of believers in Jesus name, Amen.
Bible in 1 year: 2 Samuel 14-15; Luke 17