And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

    Spurs are those small spiky wheels that cowboys strap to the heel of their boots. When the horse is plodding along too slowly, the rider gives it a little “encouragement” with his spurs. It doesn’t hurt too much, but just enough to get the steed up to speed.

Sometimes we need a little prodding as well, to stay involved and engaged with our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Regularly meeting together for worship is a holy habit that helps keep us on track. Paul wrote, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) If church was so important to Jesus that He died for it, why do people think it’s optional for them?   

  There is a story about a little church that was built in the mountains of Switzerland before the days of electric lights. On Sunday evenings, the church bells would ring and worshippers would climb up the mountain, each one bringing a lamp. When they arrived at church they would light their lanterns and hang them around the church on pegs set in the walls, so the light would spread all around. If only a few people came to church the light would be very dim because there would only be a few lanterns. But when lots of people came to church there would be plenty of light. The only time the little church lit up was when people were there. That’s when it truly became a church. That’s when the light shone most brightly.

As this world becomes darker while we await Christ’s return, we need each other’s light all the more.

Lord, I sometimes forget how much You love the church — You even call it Your Bride. Help me to be spurred on by the preaching of the Word, by the singing of praises, and by fellowship with my brothers and sisters.