Is church THAT important?

Lately, I have noticed that many Christian college students don’t attend church regularly while in school. So,today, I was wondering, how important is church in the life of a Christian? I know that there are some weeks that I don’t go to Bible Study and my mentality is “I can encounter God anywhere, not just in Bible study.” But that isn’t my mentality about church. I feel that church is that push you need at the beginning of the week to motivate and refresh you in your walk with Christ. AmI just being super religious? So, being the wonderful student that I am, I googled what the Bible says about church (link included, check it out!)

We all know or have heard the saying,“iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). Well, that’s kinda what church does. It provides encouraging and convicting messages that help grow us. How many times have you gone to church and it seemed like the message was preached for you? For me, way too many times. We receive insight on some verses that we’ve read that didn’t have any significance in our lives before. Hebrews 10:25 tells us, “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. (NIV)” Church also provides us fellowship with other believers who can eventually become mentors, prayer partners and accountability partners, which is definitely a HUGE bonus. Yeah, so, sometimes as students of higher education, we stay up late studying in addition to posting on Facebook and tweeting and waking up the next day is a struggle. But church is a vital, but not the only, part of Christian living. Let’s not forsake the gathering  together. And if you absolutely CANNOT make it on Sundays, find a Bible study you are comfortable in.Get to know other believers. GROW.

Selah [pause and think]

http://christianity.about.com/od/whatdoesthebiblesay/i/churchattendanc.htm

New Semester!

So the new semester started like 2 weeks ago. I'm not feeling overwhelmed or anything like that yet;  times like those are bound to come, especially with me being a junior and on the executive boards of two student orgs. But I'm prepared! While reading my Bible, I came across a verse that I've heard many, MANY times, but it really spoke to me and gave me the encouragement I'll need when the semester starts to seem overwhelming.

Isaiah 40:30-31(MSG):
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.

My translation: People who may seem strong get weak, because they're human, but those who rely fully, depend on and hope in God will constantly be renewed because they are so close to God. Even when they should be tired, they aren't. He is the motivation that keeps them going.

Happy new semester!

Selah [pause and think]