Getting Ready

As the week winds down and another Lord's Day nearly dawns on us, I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 and Matthew 5:23, 24. In these texts God calls believers to prepare for worship by clearing their relationship slates beforehand. God wants His people coming into His presence with relationships going well, not going badly.

Conscious as I always am of how badly fellowship can be broken by my sin and others', I'm pretty confident that without having any one or two specific people in mind I can send out this last-minute-before-worship reminder to all my friends, believing that it'll connect to not just a few.

Can I encourage you in these remaining hours before you gather with the people of God, to make sure that you've done all you can to be at peace with those very people? Let's approach worship with our hearts free of bitterness, rancor, evil thoughts, malice, gossip and the rest.

Confess things to God. Then call a brother or sister and ask forgiveness (or give it); then watch God bless you sweetly in His house on His Day.

May the love and peace of Christ dwell in us all.
Amen.