Living in the church for a long time, whether it is a big church or a small church, or attending a special party outside, we often find an embarrassing problem-the situation of being late for the party is quite serious.
Or let's put it this way: from the announcement of the party to the writing of the poem, the number of people at the party doubled when the speaker took the stage!
Sorry, because modern people are busy, it is worth encouraging that brothers and sisters are willing to come to the party, so clap their hands. But, can you be a little punctual?
Being late for a party is a habit.
I thought maybe someone was temporarily delayed before going out; But over time, it will be found that it is a habit problem. That is, people who are used to going out late and being late for parties are usually fixed.
I wasn't surprised that my parishioners couldn't be punctual, until I once attended a theological lecture by Reverend Tang Chongrong. While preaching on the stage, people kept coming in and looking for seats under the stage, which affected those who wanted to concentrate on the lecture. Therefore, Pastor Tang publicly accused us on the podium: "Why don't you dare to be late for the train and plane, but dare to be late for God's party?"
This kind of abuse is very painful and has made me think deeply for a long time. Yeah! I dare not be late by train, because there will be no bus after the time. I dare not be late by plane, so I have to wait early, which is also based on practical considerations. But what about the party? Do we think this is just a gathering to sing and listen to the Tao? And Pastor Tang told us that this is God's party! This is the moment when the glorious king of kings and Lord of lords meet us.
Isn't God more important than the boss?
The question is, do we have such consciousness? I realized that we didn't think of it because we didn't realize it was God's party, so we should fear him. Yes! This is a matter of fear of God, not a matter of traffic jam or what just happened.
Otherwise, why don't graduate students dare to be late for interviews with professors, and staff members dare not be late for appointments with superiors, and they usually arrive early? But does it matter if we are habitually late for church worship? Even, we preach on the stage, and the audience is still warmly greeting everyone! Do we really fear God?
A preacher once lamented one thing after many years in the pastoral church: "Faith tells us that there is nothing to be afraid of except God. But the reality is that we are afraid of everything except God. "
In fact, we have to admit that many people are afraid of darkness, ghosts, ugliness, obesity, lack of money and disease ... There are many things to be afraid of, but they are not afraid of God. Facing God is often an indifferent attitude. We must reflect: Are we really afraid of him?
Punctuality is to please God.
Moses followed God all his life. In his later years, he made a very special prayer: "Who knows the power of your anger? Who knows that your anger is according to the fear you deserve? " (Ps。 90: 1 1)
This prayer really deserves our careful consideration. I don't want to be a Pharisee, a legalist, and I don't think it's godless to be a minute late for the party.
Sometimes, after working overtime at night, some brothers and sisters who love God go to a prayer meeting without even eating. Even if they are half an hour late, how can they be blamed? What worries me is a question of habit and attitude, because it is related to whether we can please God.
Therefore, for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, I am here to encourage everyone: "fear God, please start from not being late for the party!" " "Even if I can arrive earlier, sit in my seat earlier and prepare my heart quietly, watch and pray for the whole party and the speakers, I believe I will receive more!
words from the bottom of one's heart
Respect me with your lips, but your heart is far from me.
People want wisdom, but they don't read the Bible.
Besides, I know that you have understood the Bible since childhood, and believe that Christ Jesus can make you have the wisdom of salvation. (2 Timothy 3: 15)
People should bless, but do not bless others;
Don't repay evil with evil, return insult with insult, but bless; For this reason you have been called, so that you may receive blessings. (1 Peter 3:9)
People want wealth, but they don't want to pay;
That you may be rich in all things, giving much, and giving thanks to God through us. (2 Corinthians 9: 1 1)
You want Immanuel, but you don't want to be close to God.
Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
Whether a person's life can continue to grow depends on whether he listens to God.
Naaman listened to Elisha, the man of God, and finally got to know God and gained life.
As Christians, can we also listen to God?
God's will is often not according to our will, but according to his good will.
Many times, what happens to us is bad for people, but good for God.
I know you can do anything; Your will is unstoppable. Job 42:2