STRENGTH TO AND FROM THE BODY
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25, NLT
Theme: Gathering as believers in the Church is mutually uplifting, especially in hard times.
WHY BOTHER?
“It’s cold.” “It’s rainy.” “It’s crowded.” “I’m tired.” “I just don’t feel like it.” “I’ll just watch it online.” Have you used any or all these excuses to skip Sunday worship? I have. By contrast, there have also been many occasions where I’ve pushed through all those excuses to show up and boy, was I thankful I did! Those are the moments when I’m filled with the Holy Spirit, sometimes to the point of tears, with hundreds of people around me lifting their hands and voices together during worship. These are also the times the message seems to have been written just for me, or when I’ve run into someone I haven’t seen in a while and know we were both meant to be there for that very purpose. Communal worship is an important component of our faith journey…where teaching, learning, connection, and inspiration occur. Failing to prioritize this gathering together robs us and others of the work God can do in our lives.
SHELTER IN THE STORMS
Particularly in difficult seasons, when life feels uncertain, heavy, or overwhelming, it can be tempting to isolate. Pain and discouragement often whisper that we’re alone, that no one understands, and that gathering with others is just too hard. But the writer of Hebrews calls us to something deeper and more powerful than withdrawal: community in Christ. He provides the church FOR us, not just as something added to our to-do list. Jesus knows every sorrow and storm we face and has not only offered us His presence but has also given us His people. The Church isn’t a perfect place, but it is a place designed for mutual strength. When we gather, whether in worship, prayer, or quiet conversation, we are reminded that we’re not walking alone. The burdens we carry feel lighter when others help shoulder them. Just as we receive encouragement, we are called to offer it. We are meant to be together.
The early Church understood this well. Under persecution and pressure, they clung to each other and to Jesus. Their meetings weren’t just religious habits, they were lifelines of hope, testimony, and grace. Today, as we face our own trials, the instruction remains: “Do not give up meeting together.” Show up, even when it’s hard or when you just don’t feel like it. Speak life into someone else and allow others to speak life into you. Jesus moves through His Church, and He uplifts us through one another. Show up and watch Him work!
Make It Personal: If you haven’t been to Sunday service in a while…show up. If you’re a regular attender, reach out to someone in your church community you haven’t seen in a while to share a word of encouragement or a prayer. Ask them to meet you at church or, better yet, pick them up! Sometimes the smallest gesture is the spark someone needs to keep going.
Pray: Lord, thank You for never leaving us alone in our struggles. Thank You for the gift of Your Body, the Church. Remind me not to take it for granted and help me lean into Your community, not away from it. Teach me to give and receive encouragement, especially when life feels heavy. May our gathering always point us back to You. In Your Name, Amen.
Read: Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 18:20
Weekly Memory Verse: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25, NLT