Revived Again

Revived Again
 

A bulletin was written with great truths said,
But nobody prospered, as it was not read.
A prayer was spoken, hoping God heard,
But few members even caught the first word.

The plate was passed, but no one gave,
A fine sermon preached, but no soul saved.
Even the hymns that were meant to give strength,
Drew complaints, because of their length.

Finally supper elements were passed ‘round
All sat silent, with heads bowed down.
But it was not to reflect, to pray, or weep,
As the bread came by, they all were asleep.

After announcements, came the last amen.
The folks jumped up, they were revived again.
As one brother pulled his coat off the rod,
He said, "Isn’t it wonderful to worship God."

Moral

As we gather the first day of the week,
To pray to God and to hear Him speak,
Let us not sleep, nor watch the clock.
Men may be fooled, but God is not mocked.

-Ron Roberts

Worshiping God is a privilege. David said, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1). We should be joyful as well as having the opportunity to assemble with the saints. (Hebrews 10:25)

We need to continue to grow by faithful atten­dance and attention in the assemblies. In Nehemiah 8 the people came to the priest and requested preaching of the law. The text tells us the people stood when the book was opened (5). They responded with saying amen, lifting their hands, bowing their heads, and having their faces to the ground (6). The King James Version tells us they were attentive even though the service went from morning until midday (3). Worship is not something only the leaders do. Those who direct in the service have obligations to make the Bible clear (8), but all who are God’s people need to enter into the worship. This is fellowship among the saints.  Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6 - And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.  And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.  And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”

Jesus tells us that we are to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” That is, we are to have the right attitude as we do the right actions. The attitude should be one of joy and reverence from all of God’s people.
 
Jimmy
Borrowed:  Bro Ron Roberts
09/13/09  PM