Too old to be here?

[AnOrangeCat]

On 9/9/2021 at 12:33 PM, Marathoner said:

And so I looked for the most non-descript and unassuming church building in that place, which I found tucked away off the main drag.

I had an experience like this. My grandmother had died recently, I was losing the house and in a bad state. I walked to various churches in the area and explained my situation to people there. I got a lot of words of sympathy but it was just words. But eventually I ran into a church that barely had any people in it and they were very old. The guy in the pew next to mine listened. He engaged with me and set up a meeting with the pastor that day, the pastor prayed for me, and he drove me home. That last bit was really touching to me because walking over a mile when you've got back issues that sometimes result in severe pain is really harsh. It made me think of faith without works as explained in James 2:14-17.

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

[Arrabon]

On 9/9/2021 at 5:50 AM, BibleStudent100 said:

I too scratch my head in dismay when I see how people and even pastors dress in church.  Out of a desire to honor God, we should dress in a dignified way for our church meetings. Granted, our dress needs to be practical and presentable and be in harmony with weather requirements, but our dress serves as a witness to others who observe us. Even the angels take note of our activity, as they did of that of Paul and his Christian associates. 1 Corinthians 4:9 remind us: "For it seems to me that God has put us the apostles last on exhibition as men condemned to death, because we have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to angels and to men."

In fact, we should always be appropriately attired. To some, faithfulness in the choice of clothing may seem to be a small matter, but in God’s eyes it is important.

@BibleStudent100

 For me, how we dressed was a mind set and a heart condition, getting ready to worship, in fact our getting dressed to look nice for God, was a part of worship, that people don't seem to understand anymore, because the preachers years ago are the one's who started this trend. I remember it so clearly, and was a bit taken back by it all.

If we have the right mind and heart for it, everything we do for God, is a form of worship, and I think that kind of consideration for God has been lost, not just by the people, but by the pastors and preachers, who are trying their best to fill the pews  by trying to bring about people feeling comfortable, but forgetting that reverence and awe, have a big place in church also, along with respect, and a knowledge that He is our creator, and should be treated as such with dignity on our part.

There is a precious sweetness in my faith that only comes from God, and is a gift that is so deep and hard to put into the proper words.

Edited September 11, 2021 by Arrabon