Thoughts Before You Deem
"Assembling Together" Unimportant in 2014
Within 2014, we will all come to our resolutions because a New Year offers us a fresh start to do better than we did the year previous. Many will come to the realization that they have some bad habits that need to be changed and will "swear off" everything from alcohol to deserts. We will resolve to exercise more, eat less, make more money and many other such things. Many will resolve to read their bibles more, get more personal with God, etc. And there are a few who will deem themselves perfect and resolve they they don't have to change anything. In all the resolutions, have you considered Paul's statement in Ph'p. 2:3-4 “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”?
Resolutions are often self centered. Yet, it is a fact that each one of us needs other people to look out for our interests, defend us, protect us, and help us stay on track. This is called accountability. Paul tells us that we should look out for each other’s interests, not just our own. In a society that is all about "me" — my needs, my interests, my wants, and my ambitions, Paul teaches us to look out for others, too.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, we have become much more vigilant for each other as we are on the lookout for more terrorist attacks. But did you know you have an enemy far more destructive than any terrorist? A personal enemy who wants to defeat YOU personally. His name is Satan, and since recorded history he to bring problems into your life, ruin your relationships, and hurt you as badly as he can. Why? Because he wants to hurt God, but he can’t, so he goes after God’s children. And how does he do that? The more he can make you think less of God, less often about God to the point of thinking badly about God then the more deluded he can make you (WARNING READ 2 Th.2:9-12)
On our own, we will never win against Satan. But when you God working for you, and have other people to watch out for you and help you, you can be victorious, you can overcome! Does anyone have your back? Is anyone defending you and watching out for your spiritual welfare? You need a community of people who are saying to you: “We’ll be with you when you’re going through the tough times. We’re not going to let you get discouraged or depressed.” Thus, Paul's encouragement in Heb.10:25, "Not giving up our meetings, as is the way of some, but keeping one another strong in faith; and all the more because you see the day coming near." Why do we not give up meeting? Because it is God’s answer to defeat. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” You can try, but you can’t live life well on your own, we weren't made that way. We all need other people to walk with us, work with us, and watch out for us.
So, in your resolutions for 2014, don't forget to make coming to God's house a priority.
Jim
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