"A Heart That Seeks the Lord"
He is almost ninety years of age. He called to see if he could visit with me for just a few minutes after Wednesday night Bible study. My dear brother said, “You’ve probably noticed that I’ve missed a few services lately?”
He explained how his wife has not been feeling well and a few times recently she had asked him to stay home with her because she didn’t want to be by herself while sick. He said that he wished he could be here every time we meet.
With tears in his eyes the brother said to me, “I have prayed about this and I am doing what I think is right, but I just wanted you to know.” We prayed together and I expressed my appreciation to him for letting me know. I also told him if it mattered that I agreed he was doing the right thing.
After he left my office I prayed again. My prayer this time was that God would help me to make sure I never make a man with a heart for the Lord like this man feel bad for taking care of his wife. Additionally, my prayer was that God would raise up more men like this brother for the church.
Compare the attitude, the desire, and the heart of this dear brother:
To Christians who say, "I have to work hard and I need to rest instead of coming to church on Wednesday night or Sunday night."
To Christians who say, “I don’t really like the class choices or the teachers so I am going to stay home.”
To Christians who say, “I am protesting against the leadership because I disagree with their decisions.”
To Christians who say, “I’m not happy with the direction of the church, I don’t like the songs y’all sing, or I don’t agree with the way the worship services, classes, etc are conducted.”
To Christians who say, “I’m angry because not very many people speak to me.”
To Christians who say, “I don’t think the church does enough in the community.”
This article is not meant to make people who have legitimate reasons for missing church feel guilty.
Some who read this article will be offended and some will disagree. It is not my intention to offend. However, some of the above mentioned “reasons” for missing worship and times of study are just plain selfish.
What about being present because you want to encourage your brothers and sisters in the Lord? (Hebrews 10:24-24)
What about being present because you want to grow spiritually through the study of the Word of God? (1 Peter 2:2)
What about being present because you want to grow closer to other Christians?
What about being present because you want to teach young people what it means to have closer walk with the Lord?
What about being present because you love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
What about being present because you want to put the Lord first in every aspect of your life? (Matthew 6:33)
What about being present because you don’t want to forsake the assembly of the saints? (Hebrews 10:25)
What about being present because you want to encourage young Christians who are on fire for the Lord because they havn’t learned that it’s okay to miss for all of the above reasons?
What about being present because you love to be involved in fellowship with other Christians?
What about being present because you are an important part of the Body of Christ and you are needed?
Dear Father, please help us think seriously about the need for being present when the church meets. Help us to put Your desires over our own. Help us dear God, to think about how our decisions affect others. Thank You Father, for the wonderful example and influence of those who teach us how to live. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.