As a mom I could get our house ready, without stress, five days a week, to go to school and work but Sunday mornings were always stressful! I quickly learned that Satan is the reason. He doesn't want us to go to worship! Think about it - isn’t Sunday morning harder? I started recognizing it for what it was and then I was more determined to get there on time, stress free!
For years, my mom served in the prayer room during church and she always prayed for those running late and for those trying to find a parking space. They prayed for them not to get discouraged and come on to worship. During the Christmas season we will have more visitors at church, looking for parking places and seats. Think of how stressful it is for visitors and for those who have never been to church. I am sure it would not take much for some people to want to turn around! And if they do, I doubt they will come back next Sunday. Romans 15: 7, “So warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.” Let’s merrily greet them and tell them when they leave, “I’m glad you came. I hope to see you again.” Chances are, we will.
Romans 15: 7, “So warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.” TLB Paul’s teaching shows us that we are glorifying God by welcoming one another as Christ has already welcomed us! As Christians we have a responsibility at church to be welcoming. Again, we are told that we are to be welcoming to visitors in Matthew 25: 35, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...” One of the biggest reasons visitors do not return to a church is that they do not feel welcome. As we are out in our community people notice our actions. Are we being a good representation of Jesus? Are we being merry or mundane? We should be excited to be a child of the most High God! He wants our servant hearts to further His Kingdom! Let’s be merry, not mundane!
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