https://odb.org/2024/04/01/meeting-together
Yes, it’s a mistake to avoid meeting together when we are going through something. Perhaps it is OK to miss a meeting or two, but we should never do this on a prolonged basis. This is because congregational meetings allow for corporate worship and fellowship among the brethren. That’s why churches whose congregations share a meal together after service experience a closeness that is very different from those who leave for home or elsewhere almost immediately after the service ends. I recall nearly 15 years back when we used to travel 70km to attend church and were very close to that congregation because we share a meal together nearly every week either potluck, catered or at the restaurant downstairs.
The other thing about meeting together is that our very presence encourages others as people are generally happy to see so many people coming together to worship God. The crowd itself is an encouragement. All we needed to do was to be a part of the crowd. Further, when we lend our voices to the worship, we add on to the atmosphere and make the worship blending harmoniously with the musicians and worship leaders to create a sweet incense of worship unto the LORD. Scripture teaches that the LORD dwells in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
Sometimes, in the ensuing fellowship, we could offer a word of encouragement or edification even though we ourselves may be going through a crisis situation of our own. The blessing we may receive from blessing others may cheer us up or give us renewed hope for the future or help us see and imagine the light at the end of the tunnel.
Do not neglect meeting one another. Blessings from heaven will flow even as we encourage and cheer each other in this race to the finish line, as we edify and exalt one another to keep on the track of righteousness on the narrow path that leads to eternal life.
I took a break last week to take advantage of a bank holiday to do a bit of local travelling during the Muslim fasting month. There were indeed fewer cars on the road, and we enjoyed driving on the new West Coast Expressway. It is not fully completed but smooth drives wherever it was already done up. https://wce.com.my/wce-highway-map/
Have a good week ahead, and may our Lord Jesus Christ be with us, and may we all be guided by the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit as we face the challenges of life and the spiritual realm at work, in college and at home! Do our best for our God wherever we are not because we have to, but because we want to!
Ronnie's Thoughts 