Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together

Hbr 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Good morning friends, I am in another state getting ready for my baby sisters wedding. What a joy it is for me to be gathered together with my family. I hope and pray that all goes well today. I am honored to have a part in this special occasion in my sisters life, not only that but my brother who is the pastor of The Church of the Harvest will be officiating over it. Now to my main point for what I have been thinking about along with the other things that go through this feeble mind. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...there are many many reasons as to why I believe the Lord had this spelled out for us in scripture. The first thing of course is so that we are reminded to bring ourselves in fellowship together to worship Him in spirit and in truth. For what would we have without the fellowship, we would all be drug down by the devil and his constant barrage of attacks. we would be overcome because we would eventually have the Word of God choked out of our lives because of no encouragement, no preaching, and no teaching. The second reason I can think of is the fact that who you hang around is what most likely what you will tend to learn from. I don't recommend hanging out with lost people and going to their places just to be a friend, as this will eventually rub off and destroy your fellowship with God, and with others because where you may end up could ruin your testimony. I am not saying don't have anybody who is lost as an acquaintance, but don't make it a point to go to the local bar to win them for Jesus. Remember we live in this world but we are not of this world, so be careful on what kind of assembling together that you do. Another point is the actual physical presence in the church house, or congregation of yourselves with other people in public, it goes to confirm that you are not ashamed of Jesus Christ and what He has done for you in your life. Assembling yourselves together in worship and adulation is just one part, the other is the fact that when you are there you are an encouragement to others to set the flesh aside and put the problems they are facing into the hands of God. I personally can tell you when I first started going to church after I was saved that when a member who was faithful didn't show up for service it kinda made me question what happened as I always enjoyed their presence after a long and tiring day of listening to the worlds garbage. I can also speak from experience that if you show up in the church house it fires up the preacher and your services will be the more fulfilling. Nothing makes me happier than to see other believers gathered together every time the church house doors are opened, I love the people, the preaching, and the power of God when He is being exalted. The power of God that I am referring to is the Lords presence in peoples lives and watching Him change us for His use. I thank God that in the United States at this point and time we are allowed to gather together to worship publicly, but my dear friends there is coming a day when we may have to secretly gather together just to worship. So you see it is that much more important that you forsake not the assembling together, as these liberties must be enjoyed while we have them. Just to finish off let me make this last point..if for anything else, we as believers have this wrote down in the Word of God, and lets admit it, we don't want to disobey God now do we? The last part of the verse says as ye see the day approaching..that my friend is in reference to that great Day of the Lord, when Jesus shall come and gather us up in Glory. Why should we miss out on the opportunity at every chance to gather together and worship Jesus in the here and now, and why shouldn't we encourage each others as believers. I know that when you are not present in the church house that, that I miss you, and I speak for my Pastor on this one too, that he misses you and is concerned for you. Friend my challenge to you today is to find yourself in the House of God at every opportunity, starting tomorrow..