Pastor’s Corner: “Get Connected!”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (TPT) – 24 Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.
When the cold snap and freezing temperatures hit all of Texas this winter over the Valentine’s Day weekend, it caused power outages throughout the state for varying lengths of time depending on where you lived. The results were far reaching that brought multiday road closures, loss of heat, broken pipes, food and goods shortages, water line breaks, water contamination, crop damage, lost income, and other societal impacts for the region. Most people were unprepared for this event (government included). As cold as it was, people’s temperatures started running hot. To say it was stressful is an understatement.
Being disconnected from electricity is stressful, but being disconnected spiritually has even more devastating results. When we who know the truth but choose to go our own way, the pain, loss, disappointment, fear and isolation when we are disconnected from the Body of Christ are amplified. On our own, we cannot stand, are easily shaken and tossed by the winds and the waves. James 1:6-8 (NIV) – 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Ephesians 4:14 (NKJV) – 4 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
There is no such thing as an autonomous Christian who stands alone with no need for others and no obligation to anyone. To be called a Christian, by definition, means being a part of Christ’s body, the church. Every Christian must be in fellowship with other believers. Six out of the ten commandments are directed toward our relationship with others, which in itself is profound. Why would God show us how to walk in love with one another if it was perfectly fine and acceptable for us to avoid deep and meaningful relationships with other believers? He wouldn’t. God desires His people to meet together, encourage each other, and love each other.
Those who struggle the most are inconsistent with church attendance. They are inconsistent with Bible study and prayer group. They are inconsistent with small groups and so they struggle and are up and down in their emotions like a yoyo. If you neglect the Body, you become weaker not stronger and are more susceptible to deception and the schemes of Satan. If you are struggling and are constantly up and down, immerse yourself in the things of God. Stop skipping corporate worship, the Word is going forth and you’re missing that time of praise and fellowship when His presence is so strong. Go to Bible Study and prayer group. Remember, your faith is more precious than gold!
Following are some ways to be get more connected:
Sundays:
Sunday Morning Life Groups: 10:00am
Worship Service: 10:45 am
The Lord’s Supper: 11:00 am
Cornerstone Kids: 11:15 am
Mondays:
Constitution Bible Study: 3:00 pm
Prayer and Worship (Spanish/English): 6:00 pm
Tuesdays:
Prayer Meeting: 10:00 am
Wednesdays:
Youth Group: 6:00pm – 8:00 pm (grades 6th-12th)
Bible Study (Spanish/English): History of the Bible – 6:00pm
Thursdays:
Small Group Leadership Meeting: 6:30 pm
Fridays:
“Night of Worship” (Worship/Prayer): 7:00 pm
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton