Big Rocks for Strong Christ-Followers
Today’s Big Rock: Thinking of Others – Part IV

Scripture Foundation: Hebrews 10:24-25

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

My guess is that most Christ-followers have never thought about attending church as something they should do for others.

However, the second part of our Scriptural Foundation for these last few devotions say just that:

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another… (Hebrews 10:25a).

There seems to be a large portion of God’s people who are opting out of attending church these days.

Some are caring for loved ones and do not want to bring a virus into the home.

However, I suspect that the vast majority of the “stay at homers” and those who do church online find it convenient.

Here is the problem: our church gatherings are not to be about serving only ourselves. Our gatherings are also about encouraging other believers through the fellowship that naturally comes by attending in person.

Of course, church services can minister to people that come in person or people that listen online.

But the Bible reminds us to think about people around us. You might be just the person to encourage someone who needs your friendship and kind words before or after the service.

When I was pastoring, I encouraged our congregation to not run for their cars after the service was over. I encouraged them to hang out, look for new people they could introduce themselves to, or to take note of someone who needed a friend.

The scripture is clear, do not neglect gathering together so that we can encourage one another.

The final few words of Hebrews 10:25 are:

… especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.

No one knows when Jesus will come back for His followers, but He is coming back. The Hebrew writer felt that this one fact should motivate Christ-followers to be attentive to their gatherings with other believers!

If you have been staying away from church, please heed these Bible verses… they are God’s words to His children!

Father, I will not neglect the gatherings of believers, amen!