Church Benefits

Although they can not make a decision for you, through their faith you are able to see the potential in God's grace.

Hebrews 11:17-40

Reference:  v.32-33 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised… (NIV Bible)

Explore:  I have recently been reunited with some old friends.  We had met through a church we both attended but as life has led us down different paths we now don't see each other often.  I was disappointed to hear that my friends were no longer attending church.  It wasn't that they didn't believe in God, they told me they still had faith, but due to hurt and disappointment they had decided to no longer attend any kind of faith community.  There is a great deal of hurt and conflict in the church.  Unfortunately, whenever you gather a group of people together that is always going to happen.  However, while there are negative things that can happen in a church, there are also some incredibly meaningful things that happen there too.

Application:  When trouble comes in our lives it's quite easy to ask, 'Is God there?'  One of the great benefits in being a part of a church is that you surround yourself with people who would answer that question with a big YES.  Although they can not make a decision for you, through their faith you are able to see the potential in God's grace.  When the early church was struggling in their faith walk they were reminded of all the people who had gone before them: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses.  All of these people showed great faith and God did mighty things through them.  This was an encouragement to the early church that, even though they were doubtful and struggled, God did mighty things.  We have our own Abrahams and Moses around us too.  There are people in churches in our very own communities who still struggle and endure hardship but see the mighty things that God can do when they hold true to their faith.  Seeing them endure gives us hope that God can do mighty things in our lives too.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for creating us so that we need to be in community.  Allow us to be inspired by the people around us and may we live a faithful life so that we may inspire others.  Amen.

Who has given you hope in your walk with God?

Hebrews