18/09/2019
Seek GOD FIRST
*Amos 5:4-5*
*4 This is what the Lord says to Israel:
“Seek me and live;
5 do not seek Bethel,
do not go to Gilgal,
do not journey to Beersheba.
For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and
Bethel will be reduced to nothing.[a]”*
Are you a church goer? I hope not! I know this may sounds weird and difficult to understand why I would discourage you from being a staunch church believer. Yet, we have been told in (Hebrews 10:25) that we should not forsake gathering together as believers because when we assemble as body of believers we get the opportunity to meet with God and encourage each other. But this is what is important, we are not church goers; we are the Church. As a matter of fact, The New Testament never used the word church to refer to a building! And in the Old Testament, God warned people that simply going to a place of worship was not enough, instead they needed to seek Him first! I believe that this is exactly what God would want us to do today. To seek him and in doing so, we gather and share fellowship, comforting and encouraging each other.
*Prayer*
Holy and loving Father, as I am going through this week, it is comforting to know that I am never away from your love. At the same time, I love that Christians have special moments to meet with each other and be in your presence. It is really powerful. I know in those gatherings, you are always with us but sometimes my heart or my circumstances or situations going on in our church family may derail my awareness of your presence. This week, dear Father, I pray for our worship assembly to be vibrant and powerful. I pray for your presence will feel near to each of us and we will be transformed. I pray that you will be honored by what my brothers and sisters and I do to fellowship together, encourage each other and praise you. Please use this day to draw us near to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
, REV OLA Bello
CORK lreland.