Today, the duty and work of church attendance are in view. As Christians, our awareness, self-will, and spirit content must become anchored and grounded in the full revelation of GOD through imparted divine substance. From the greeting by ushers at the door, the discipline shown by the prophets serving as a choir, to the message preached from the pulpit by anointed clergy, there are numberless benefits and gifts imparted to the believer through their regular church attendance as well as an opportunity for them to demonstrate and share their own commitment, and accomplishments of spiritual growth. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “ShoeShopper2” (Level 2 with 335 points, a member since June 21, 2016) posted the following:
Is it worth going to church if the people are nice, but you don't get anything out of the church you go to?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (1st Peter 4: 1-5, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Fundraising A Sacred Practice? (01/01/2017); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); Good Christians and Church? (10/19/2016); Church Attendance and Inheritance (09/11/2016); Skipping Church A Sin? (11/17/2015); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012)
THE BATTLE CRY: Also hear and see Worth, the award-winning MP3 video from the music ministry prophets of Anthony Brown and Group TherAPy at YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX59fjowutw
“ShoeShopper2”, all Christians have to learn the importance of sharing in congregation. As “born again” believers, we have to be about “growing up again,” that is, taking on maturity and exclusive devotion to our Creator as the offspring of GOD. We are to submit to operations by the Spirit of GOD that will result in permanent changes in our lifestyle, our outlook, and our sense of purpose. While our being made the new creation of GOD through Jesus Christ is miraculous and occurs in an instance, our becoming balanced, complete, and stable through growth and learning must be conditional, continuous and gradual. The transformation whereby sinners become believers who live as immortal, incorruptible companions to divinity will be finished only at the Advent (we also say, his appearing, the harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming) when they are “taken up to meet him in the air.” In the meantime, we are to acquire sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge; endure the same challenges and “growing pains,” of those upon the earth; we are to continue sacred practices (sacraments); engage one another in sacred fellowship; and pursue unselfish service to GOD. Believers are to be vessels containing spirit content from the makeup of GOD including faith, holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. With this in view, church attendance gives a believer opportunity to affirm, encourage, minister and prophesy to others in ways outsiders may not see or understand that go beyond what is carnal, material and social. Consider again the following:
(1.) Deuteronomy 6: 5-9, King James Version (KJV): 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
(2.) Matthew 20: 25-28, KJV: 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Hebrews 10: 23-29, KJV: 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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