Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
—HEBREWS 10:24–25
ONE OF THE great blessings of my years of ministry was that I was always expected to meet when the saints met at our church. I never really had an option to go or not go, because it was my job to be there—to encourage the church and to edify and “spur on” the body of Christ. I never wanted “going to church” to be the ultimate goal for the forever family. Instead, I wanted meeting together to be the encouragement and training center to send out our local missionaries to their jobs, schools, and surrounding culture. Sort of like college isn’t where you want your young adult to stay, but just to be trained and equipped to make their way in the job world. Even though I no longer work for the church, I am still grateful to get encouragement there to grow where God plants me in this world.
Prayer
Father, I am so thankful for my church family and the help they give me to walk this Christian walk and live out the mission You called me to. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
—Al