“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who
eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2TIM.4:8 NLT.
The fifth characteristic of those who are truly looking forward to the Lord’s return is that
they have the habit of regularly attending church services and programs. “not forsaking
our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s
return] approaching.” Heb.10:25 (AMP). There are many reasons for this. During such
gathering they receive exhortations that will strengthen them to overcome many life
challenges in these last days. There is a corporate anointing that is far stronger than
individual anointing. In other words, you will receive more during church services than
when you study the word of God on your own or listen to online ministrations. That is
why the Bible says that one will chase one thousand and two will chase ten thousand.
It is not enough to come to church services or belong to a church group but more
important is to be planted in the church. “Those who are planted in the house of the
LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They
shall be fresh and flourishing,” Psalm 92:13-14. You should get fully involved in the
church and not just sneak in and sneak out of services. You should come to every
service expectant to receive from God and partake of the abundance that is in His
house. There is help and strength in His Sanctuary. “May He send you help from the
sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion;” Psalm 20:2. There is glory in His Sanctuary.
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.” Psalm
96:6 In the gathering of the people of God (the church service) you develop skills to
possess what belongs to you in Christ Jesus. ““But on Mount Zion there shall be
deliverance, And there shall be holiness; The house of Jacob shall possess their
possessions.” Obadiah 1:17.
Those that are planted in the house of the Lord become fruitful and thereby fulfil the
Divine mandate the Lord gave to His disciples. In John 15:16
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
A thought will die stillborn if you do not verbalize it.