“Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
One thing that has constantly been coming to my mind is our brothers and sisters who are a part of the persecuted church. I follow a group called the Voice of the Martyrs, and they keep me up to date with the state of the Church in persecuted areas. It seems that every month, I read of a house church that was discovered and destroyed, just because there was a Bible study taking place. If one is found out in possession of a Bible, in a group of believers, praying, or refusing to worship the god of a false religion, our brothers and sisters face all kinds of persecution and may even lose their lives. Yet, these Christians have a desire to grow in their knowledge of God, fellowship with other believers, and share the Gospel of Christ Jesus with those that persecute them.
This has been on my mind for many reasons. Lately, it is because I have been looking at the Church in the western part of the world. We do not face the same kind of persecution. We may have snarky comments sent our way, but nothing serious. We have the opportunity to come to church on Sunday mornings and nights and Wednesday nights. We have gotten so used to the ability to go to church whenever we want church attendance is plummeting all over the United States. Many people sacrifice their lives just for the opportunity to attend church. We have the opportunity to dig into God’s Word as a group of believers, hold each other accountable, encourage and build one another up. Take advantage of that opportunity. I know there are people reading this that do not attend a church. Wherever you are, I want to encourage you to find a place to worship with a group of God fearing, Bible believing Christians. There is nothing sweeter than worshipping our Creator with our family in Christ.