And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
-------Hebrews 10:24f
New International Version
At Thanksgiving a family received a card with a painting of a Pilgrim family as they were walking toward the church. The mother was showing her children the nice card and explained that the Pilgrim children liked to celebrate Thanksgiving Day by attending church with their parents.
One of her skeptical children asked his mother, “Well, if those children liked to go to church so much, why is their father walking behind them with a rifle in his hand?”
D. L. Moody once said, “Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood is to a sick man.” He was speaking about one’s spirit and he probably had no idea just how accurate his statement was regarding a person’s physical well being. A study published by the National Science Foundation showed that people who attend church regularly live seven years longer than non-churchgoers.
Not only do people live longer but they live better. Consider the descendents of two men who lived about the same time: Max Jukes lived in New York. He did not believe in Christ or in Christian training. He refused to take his children to church, even when they asked to go. He has had 1,026 descendents – 300 were sent to prison for an average term of 13 years; 190 were public prostitutes; 680 were admitted alcoholics. His family, thus far, has cost the state in excess of $40,000. They made no contribution to society.
Compare Max to Jonathan Edwards who lived in the same state at roughly the same time. He loved the Lord and saw that his children were in church every Sunday, as he served the Lord to the best of his ability. He has had 929 descendants – of these, 430 were ministers; 86 became university professors; 13 became university presidents; 75 authored good books; 5 were elected to the United States Congress and 2 to the Senate. One was Vice President of his nation. His family never cost the state one cent but has contributed immeasurably to the life of plenty in this land today.
Soon the Labor Day weekend will be over and it will be time to get back into the fall routine. Don’t forget that one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to go to church together. This is a habit worth making. We’ll be looking for you!
Blessings,
John H. Duckworth, pastor
