Why can't we worship God in the comfort of our homes, enjoying the best preaching and music that television has to offer? Why can't we just enjoy being alone in the woods, with God and the pine trees? Why can't we meet God at the water's edge, wiggling our toes in the warm sand? Read More...
I've been thinking I would like to go to church, but I don't know anyone.
I don't know what to do, where to go, what to expect when I get there. It's hard and it feels awkward to do anything for the first few times. Here are some suggestions:
Have you noticed a church near you or one you drive by often? If not, check the phone book. Call the church office. You should find a friendly voice to talk to. (Some churches don't have a full-time staff. If no ones there leave a message so they can get back to you.)
If you'd like, ask to be matched up with someone in the church, any of us would love to meet you even before you attend. That way, you will know someone before you come!
Also, we could pick you up Sunday morning, meet you for breakfast or coffee before church or at least meet you in the parking lot to show you where to go and what to do.
Stop by a church on a weekday and ask someone to show you around so the place doesn't feel so foreign when you come on Sunday.
Just show up. Check out when the worship service starts. Many churches have greeters to help you as you enter the sanctuary. If you'd like, ask them to introduce you to someone you can sit with.
Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13)
For the next few weeks lets zero in on the subject that will be a real strength to us if we'll allow. Please note this, our thoughts will determine our speech. Our speech can determine our actions, and our actions will certainly determine our destiny, sobering thoughts aren't they? Our text ask a question, spiritual battles, are they real, in a word " YES."
I challenge each of us to read on a regular basis Ephesians 6:10-18.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
In these scriptures Paul paints a vivid picture of the whole armor of God. Oh! that we'll allow God to spiritually wrap us up in His armor, when we do this we'll be able to face and overcome any and all spiritual battles. Spiritual warfare is very real for every believer, we must do everything we can to guard our souls, scripture says, what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his/her soul, read (Luke 21:19). Let us recognize that their's a spiritual war going on inside each believer, the spirit against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit. God's word tells us that there's two kingdoms, note! Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.(Colossians1:12-14).
There is the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness, we as God's children possess the divine power of God to ward off the evils of the Kingdom of Darkness, that's why it's so vital to put on and keep on the whole armor of God. Greater is the God in us than the enemy in the world.