^{Don't ignore the Means.}

^{Well, most of my church family have been aware, how the Sabbath has been a day that has seemed particularly rife for attack by the enemy. If my ever declining health was going to take a dip, it would dip without distinction almost exclusively on the Lord's Day. And one of my bitterest complaints has been, I don't understand why going to church is so difficult, when I do it in obedience to God. Sometimes, things have seemed so impossible, after waking in agony from head to foot, and also being aware that cognitive abilities were also not at an all time high, I have had to ring my pastor to pray with him on the phone, as being the only Christian in my home, let alone immediate vicinity, means often, that the encouragement of the brethren is not easily available. Every Sunday without fail, has been hit so badly. And did start to back away from the "be there at any cost" mentality that seemed to spur the enemy on in his attack. And I missed four weeks in a row, after damaging my back badly, by somersaulting backwards in my wheelchair within two minutes of coming out of a Lord's Day worship service. And I cried out to God, that if this was all there was, in this life, to take me Home now. As there was little point if being able to serve in any capacity was no there, no point, and was trapped in a body that wouldn't work and a mind that was often tormented. And generally, my health is no better, but for the first time EVER, two weeks in a row, this last Lord's Day and the previous one, have been done without a superhuman effort to get to church, and no negative after affects health wise even though out longer than normal two weeks ago. God does hear and answer prayer!
4}One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquirein his temple.

although David was banished from his country, despoiled of his wife, bereft of his kinsfolk; and, in fine, dispossessed of his substance, yet he was not so desirous for the recovery of these, as he was grieved and afflicted for his banishment from God's sanctuary, and the loss of his sacred privileges. Under the word one, there is an implied antithesis, in which David, disregarding all other interests, displays his intense affection for the service of God; so that it was bitterer to him to be an exile from the sanctuary, than to be denied access to his own house.

From Calvin's commentary on Psalm 27

^{So, when I hear of people, or know of them, who find every excuse for them to not to go to church week after week, month after month, because all they think they need to do is sit at home with their Bible, and they will be able to know because of their oh so fine understanding when not sitting under the word, but understand, perfectly, and see it as ay ok! to neglect this gift God has given us, I think it shows pretty much the place they may be in. There are good reasons for breaking away from any church. I admit and know that. But no one can be a "lone Christian" or just rely on their own darkened understanding, to know exactly what the Bible teaches, and expect to grow in grace and be beacons for God, in such a circumstance. Often pride seems to be at the root of the reluctance for church attendance. No church is good enough for them! Though its obviously good enough for God and many of the ones they may not grace with their attendance, are part of God's visible church, and Christ's bride. To cast aside so easily, the means that God gives us, is no light matter. And one that may one look holy among men, but God is not fooled that pride is at the core. To hear a short audio snip of Calvin's view on none church attendance click here:}

8/24/2004 11:30:00 pm :: ::
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