Why do we go to Church?

  Why do we go to church?  Have you ever asked yourself that question?  How would you answer if someone came up to you and asked that?  I mean, think about it.  Every Sunday we go to a designated building, we sing and then sit and listen to someone talk about some man that lived hundreds of years ago.  To a non-Christian that would sound crazy!  To anyone it would sound crazy... except for the fact that "that man" is Jesus.  He's not just anyone that we talk about every Sunday.  He's our Creater, our Savior, our Father, and our King.  He alone is worthy enough for us to take the time out of our week to praise and worship and learn more about Him. 

  The bible doesn't say that we have to go to church every Sunday in order to be a Christian.  But it does say in Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  God wants us to gather together so that we may encourage each other in Him.  If we always kept to ourselves we may grow bored of our faith because we are not getting encouragement from other believers. 

  Jesus also says in Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."  This is another reason why we go to church.  To gather together in Christ's name so that we can pray together and worship Him.  He is always with us and we should never forget that, but gathering with other believers can encourage us in our faith; bringing us closer to God in the process.

  So why the singing?  Well let me tell you... or better yet let the bible tell you: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16)  And also in Psalm 150:

"Praise the Lord.

Praise God in His sanctuary;

praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power;

praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise Him with the harp and lyre,

praise Him with timbrel and dancing,

praise Him with the strings and pipe,

praise Him with the clash of cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord."

  I think singing is a great form of worship.  The music just really gets me in the zone for praising God.  I go to a little country church and, while we don't exactly have trumpets, dancing, and cymbals, we do sing and I enjoy it.  But what I really love is when I'm in my car and I turn on the radio or put my playlist on shuffle and that perfect song comes on.  That song that just really speaks to your heart.  I love turning the volume up and singing along or just listening and letting the words soak into my soul.  It's a wonderful feeling.

  So, why do I go to church?  To start my week off worshipping and learning more about my Savior.  The one who created me and came to earth to die and save me from my sins.  The one who loves me even when I mess up.  My Father. My King. 

  I would encourage you to gather with fellow believers around you and encourage each other in Jesus.  To worship God with your whole heart.  To block out any distractions and use that time to focus on God and God alone.  And don't just do it on Sundays!  Every day of every week, every second of every hour, remember that God is always with you.  He will never leave you.  He is worthy of your worship.  He alone is worthy.

  "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17

　

  P.S. Today I was driving home and "Only Jesus" by Casting Crowns came on and it's so good! I definitely recommend checking it out!

P.P.S. Also, it snowed here in Missouri this past weekend!  Pictured above is some snow melting off the pine trees at my house.  It's beautiful isn't it?💙