“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together“– Hebrews 10:24-25

A church cannot exist without believers who are committed to meeting together for prayer, service, accountability, and biblical instruction. While this seems a self-evident truth, many Christians do not live with this in mind.

This was true even in the infancy of the church. Paul therefore admonishes that we faithfully assemble with others in the church, as often as possible. Otherwise, we are guilty of forsaking the church of Jesus Christ and, by extension, Christ.

The spiritual ignorance and apathy that many Christians experience today is chiefly due to a lack of commitment in this regard. They do not learn, mature, or benefit from the sound, practical preaching of God’s Word because they are not there to hear it, not present when it is being prayed for, or not dedicated to living it out through the body of Christ.

But there is another reason, just as important as personal growth, for us to be dedicated to meeting with other saints. We are to be provoking one another to love and good works. We cannot be a help to others in their Christian walk if we are not there to rub shoulders with them, pray with them, and reach out to them.

Consider the needs of others today, as well as yourself, and determine anew to find your place of joyful commitment and service in the body of Christ, for the glory of His name.(Copied)

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves“– Romans 15:1

When was the last time you saw a commercial or advertisement expressing this idea: “you should not try to just please yourself, but should be concerned for the welfare and care of others”?

No, we are usually bombarded with messages that encourage us to get the latest gadget, or enjoy a vacation spot, or purchase a vehicle for ourselves because “you deserve it; you owe it to yourself.”

But Paul tells us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the debt you ought to be concerned about is the debt you have to others. God has entrusted you with health, with money, with time, or with resources that others may not have; but these gifts are not meant to pool up in the reservoir of yourself. You have an obligation to God, as a steward of the blessings with which He has entrusted you, to be a conduit, a tributary of blessing to others.

A few verses later Paul tells us why this is so: “For even Christ pleased not himself…” (15:3). That is a big “even”, because Christ (unlike us) had every right to please Himself. And, yet, He was concerned rather to serve and to bear the infirmities and afflictions of the weak with them. We then that are strong, Paul says, ought to be doing the same.

What burdens have you helped bare today? What resources have you shared with others? Don’t seek to please yourself; seek to please the Lord by caring for others.(Baptist Bible Hour)

“I am the Lord’s.” Isaiah 44:5

Not only because He has chosen me…in Jesus His beloved Son; nor merely because I am redeemed from among men, by the precious blood of Immanuel; but also because I have surrendered myself up into the Lord’s hand, with all I have and am, to be taught by His Spirit, ruled by His word, supplied by His providence, and devoted to His praise. The Lord claimed me, and I was enabled to acknowledge the claim; He has a right to me, and that right should never be forgotten by me. Am I tempted to sin? To murmur? To despond? Let this be my preservative, “I AM THE LORD’S.” How base, ungrateful, and wicked for me to yield to sin; for me to complain of any of His dispensations; or for me to doubt His goodness or His grace. I am the Lord’s for life; I shall be the Lord’s in death; and then (O delightful thought!) I shall be the Lord’s for evermore. He will guide me by His counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. I have only to aim at His glory, walk by His word, and live at His throne, until He takes me to Himself. My only business on earth is to please God, and my heaven will be to enjoy Him forever. Blessed truth, “I am the Lord’s!” (James Smith, 1840)

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee,
And reign without a rival there!