Therefore brothers and sisters since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus-He has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through His flesh)-and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering since He who promised is faithful.    Hebrews 10:19-23 HCSB

In the days before Jesus’ crucifixion, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies or the sanctuary in the temple.  There was a heavy curtain that separated it from the rest of the temple.  The priest wore a cord tied around his waist that extended outside the curtain and wore a bell.  In the event that the priest may die while in there offering sacrifices, they would have to pull him out by the cord.  It was that important that no one else enter in.  However, Jesus’ death on the cross changed all that.  When Jesus died, the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).  Jesus’ blood was shed so that we have direct access through Him to God the Father.  For this reason, we can draw near to Him.  We have been cleansed of our sin.

We can put our hope in Jesus, God is faithful to forgive us our sins and remove them from us. For this reason, we have hope and we can stand strong.  For this reason, we can also be strong in order to help each other.  As Christians we need to strengthen each other in these difficult times, we also need to reach out to others in our community and encourage them to establish a personal relationship with their savior.

Christian fellowship is important in our walk with Christ.  It strengthens us and helps us to strengthen others.  There are all times when we face the evil, wickedness of the world.  In these times, we need to be able to lean on fellow Christians.  We need to show love and concern for one another and we need to meet together regularly.  I don’t know what I would do without my church family.  They have been a constant source of support for me through some very difficult times.  I also learn so much through Sunday School and our pastor’s sermons.  I get recharged and refreshed so that I can face another week in this cold, cruel world.

So, I know there are those of you that are reading this and saying, “I don’t need to go to church, I can worship God anywhere.”  You are absolutely right.  You can worship God anywhere.  So, to you I say,” prove it”.  When you are hunting in your deer stand are you studying your Bible and praying?  When you are out on the river in your boat are you studying your Bible and praying?  Are you supporting other Christians like the Bible tells us to do?  The world has many distractions.  The devil uses our desires and the things of the world to distract us from worshiping God.  Now this doesn’t mean that you may not day dream from time to time while in a worship service, but you will still learn things and experience the closeness that comes from gathering with fellow Christians.

We can see the beauty of God’s creation all around us and we should never cease to praise Him for this and to worship Him.  The Bible tells us that we should always be praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

When I invite friends and family to church, I often hear these responses.  “I don’t need to go to church to have a relationship with God, I can worship God anywhere.”  True, so do you?  Or I hear, “just because I don’t go to church doesn’t mean that I am not a Christian”, also true, but if you have a loving relationship with God wouldn’t you want to go where other Christians are gathered, learn more about God’s word, and spend time in His house?

Jesus died a horrible, agonizing, humiliating death to give us the boldness to enter into the sanctuary, to tear that curtain, and to give us access to God the Father.  If you are not taking full advantage of what Jesus died to give you, it is your loss my friend.

There are people in other countries who risk their lives to meet in secret to learn God’s word and share with fellow believers.

I have lived and learned that you never truly appreciate what you have until it’s gone.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow and with the way our world is going, we are not guaranteed that we will always be able to worship God freely.  One thing is sure, though, there is strength in numbers.  So if you love the Lord, if the Lord has done anything that you consider worthy of your time and effort, then please don’t neglect to enter his House with praise.  Please don’t neglect to meet with fellow Christians and be strengthened in your walk with Christ.  It will be well worth it.

Have a great day!