Organizing the Inside – Day 333 Happy to Be a Gatekeeper

August 1, 2012 at 2:45 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Relationship, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christian Community, Christianity, church, Fellowship, God, Organizing the Inside, Worship And Praise

1How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 2I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! 4What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Selah
Psalm 84:1-4 (NIV)

We can meet with God anywhere. He is always there when we need Him. The psalmist was speaking of the temple where God’s Spirit dwelled. Today our bodies are considered a type of temple, because God’s Spirit dwells within each of us (Christians). The church (building) is also a type of temple, referred to as the house of God. We go there to meet with Him and be closer to the people of God. This is part of God’s plan for community. Going to church allows us to corporately worship Him and together along with other believers we honor Him with our gifts and service. An important part of Christian living; this adds to the Christian experience and should not be neglected. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

We need a place that is separate from the world. A place where the things of God are prominently placed, cueing us to worship. Not a place where traditions, and rituals or idols are the focus, but a place that aids our worship of God and supports our need to fellowship with each other. This is the local church. Many enjoy community among comrades in this fight of faith via the internet, but keep in mind there is no substitution for meeting together with other believers. Neither turning on the television nor logging on the internet can take the place of entering His gates, although there are many great messages there. The world is a busy place, full of distractions and bright shiny objects that tend to call us away from what is most important. We are bombarded with information and unjust causes that tug, again and again for our support. Remember to step away from it all and allow God to give you perspective… His perspective.

10Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  11For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  12O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:10-12 (NIV)

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