Serve One Another in Love no. 21

“Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other. And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Messianic Jews (Heb) 10:23-25). God is trustworthy and we need to show our allegiance to Him by encouraging each other. God is always the same. He is who He says He is. He does not change. We are the ones who change. And we should change through encouragement.

All too often we are ready to point out the speck in the eye of someone else. Too often we want to play the role of judge and sit on our thrones. Too often we lake the grace and mercy and love to encourage each other. And a lot of that has to do with the congregation we attend because no matter how fiercely independent we think we are, the influence of those around us is extremely important in forming who we are.

I think that reason alone is an important reason why some Christians do not attend church. There are some toxic church environments out there that they want to avoid for the sake of their own faith. I am by no means endorsing not gathering together. God is all about community. And I am in no way saying that you are going to find a perfect church because I have yet to find that either. Churches are filled with just as many broken people as any other building. The point is that those broken people at the church should be working on encouraging each other.

So, if the church isn’t fostering an atmosphere of encouragement, say something. If saying something doesn’t change the atmosphere, then find a church that is encouraging. I think we far too often want to grumble and complain about a problem rather than being active in change. And sometimes that means I have to change the people I am around. As a shirt I wear often says, “You can’t change the people around you but you can change the people around you.” I am an advocate for attending a church near in proximity and a church that is near in heart to Jesus. Of those two things, the second is most important. Churches can be toxic just like we can be toxic. BUT we also have to be active in creating change. Jesus did not wait for the world to change. He was the change. Go out and be the change too by encouraging rather than condemning. Build each other up rather than looking for fault to tear each other down. Bring His light into the world one encouraging word at a time.

Serve His Kingdom by serving one another in love.

Grace and Shalom to your home. The Kingdom of God is now!

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #SeekFirstTheKingdom #ServeOneAnotherIn Love #NotMyWayYHWH