Was the writer of the Book of Psalms a Christian? No. But he
had a wonderful attitude about coming to the place where the Jews assembled to
worship God. He said, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into
the house of the LORD" (Psalm 122:1). What about you and me? How often
do we plan to attend the services of the church the rest of this year? I
personally want to attend every service of the church for the rest of my life
because:
I want to be a good example to others, not a stumblingblock.
"But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith …" (1 Timothy 4:12).
I want my family and others to see that God is really first
in my life. Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness" (Matt. 6:33).
I want to see and have fellowship with my brothers and
sisters at the services. "Behold how good and how pleasant it
is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1)!
I want to study the Scriptures, like the Bereans did. "These
[Bereans, rdc] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures
daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).
I know that spiritual service to God is more important than
any earthly affair. "Set your affections on things above, not
on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).
I want to exhort my brothers and sisters who attend the
services. "But exhort one another daily . . . and let us
consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews
3:13; 10:24).
I know what our Heavenly Father says about the assemblies
of the church. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is" (Hebrews 10:25).
I don't want God and others to think that I am lukewarm in
my service to Jesus. "I know your works, that you are neither
cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are
lukewarm. . . I will vomit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:14,15)
I know that it will help me grow closer to God and other
Christians. "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you"
(James 4:8).
I know that the strongest congregations are those where the
members regularly attend services. "Be ye steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).