Get Ready!
Are you going to
church this weekend? If so, here are some practical ways to prepare
yourselves to get the most out of your time in church:
Be ready to give thanks.
Psalms 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts
with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Don’t wait for the
band to get to your favorite song before you enter into singing, just
jump in a praise the Lord.
Be ready to be generous.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each man should give what he has decided in
his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.” You don’t have to wait to see how much you are moved by
the music or how good the sermon was – God has already spoken about how
much to give. Be a tither, not a tipper.
Be ready to encourage.
Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in
settings of silver.” Be that voice of encouragement you wish others
would be for you. Instead of coming to “get fed,” come expecting God to
use you to “feed others”.
Be ready to serve. Jesus said to the disciples, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Be ready to listen.
Expect God to speak to you individually and as a congregation. Allow
Him to challenge you, discipline you, encourage you, forgive you,
restore you, etc. Whatever it is you truly need, the Lord will provide.
Be ready to make a friend.
We were not meant to go through life alone. If you want to make
friends, show yourself friendly. Look for someone who came alone and ask
the Lord how you can minister to them.
Be ready to engage.
Don’t be a bystander. Christianity is not a spectator sport. If you
want the preacher to preach better, be attentive and take notes. If
he/she knows you are writing it down, they will work to make sure the
message is worth taking notes about – trust me on this one.
Be on time.
When the whole family is on time and ready to worship, the energy level
is powerful and exciting. You are not late for work (I hope), so don’t
be late for The Body of Christ. Why not come early and grab a cup of
coffee in the cafe'?
These are just a few thoughts. I am praying
for our time together. I am expecting God to do great thing in our lives
and through our lives.
Are you ready?
Love and Prayers,
Pastor Keith
____________
Keith G Edwards
Centerpointe Church
Fairfax, VA
