Fruitful Living
10 reasons we should attend church
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
INTRODUCTION
Church is not a place to go, rather it is a living body where God wants you to become a part––for your good and His glory.
Let’s look at only 10 of many reasons to go to church––even when we don’t feel like it.
1. TO HEAR THE PREACHING OF THE WORD
If the word of God is quick, powerful and sharper than a sword (Hebrews 4:12), then hearing the preaching of Scripture is vital to our spiritual well-being.
If we are physically unable to attend church, watching it on television or online is a wonderful resource. This allows us to stay in communion with our church family, learning what they are learning, and growing as they grow.
The Word of God:
- Penetrates hearts and transforms lives.
- Calls sinners to repentance.
- Encourages the downtrodden.
- Inspires the Lord’s servants to love and serve Christ Lights the way God would have you go
2. TO PARTICIPATE IN CORPORATE WORSHIP
Worshiping God alone is wonderful, but nothing can replace the beauty of coming together corporately to worship Him with others who also have His Spirit in them through the redeeming work of salvation.
Worshiping God comes as a response to our humble gratitude for His love for us. Knowing God and His character as revealed in Scripture will stir in His children a heart of thankfulness that is expressed in worship that brings Him glory––rather than a self-serving emotional experience. The Spirit causes true worshipers to long to come together with other believers to honour Christ.
3. BECAUSE IRON SHARPENS IRON – Proverbs 27:17
Meeting regularly with other believers is a source of encouragement and strength. But know this: when iron rubs against iron, not only does it become sharper, it causes also parks!
God uses our interactions with others to show us the areas He would have us repent and turn to reflect more the image of His Son. Working alongside Christians in a church fellowship is a wonderful way to grow our love for God and for others. And it is also God’s way of showing us areas He wants to mature our walk with Christ.
4. TO EXERCISE OUR GIFT
From preaching to encouraging, hospitality to administration, God equips His children with gifts to serve Christ. When a church body is healthy, its members realise they are part of the congregation not only to receive but also to be a blessing.
5. TO ENCOURAGE OUR PASTOR
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now… And it is right for me to feel this way about you all for I hold you in my heart” – Philippians 1:3-7. Can’t we just hear Paul’s affection for these precious people who partnered with him in spreading the glorious gospel of grace?
In the same way, when we become a partner in ministry with our pastor we bring joy to his heart, grow his love for us and cause him to joyfully thank God for our faithful service to Christ.
6. TO FIND GODLY MENTORS
In church we discover many people who have walked the road ahead of us. Their wisdom, insights, and even vulnerability to teach us from their mistakes is one way God provides to help us grow. Titus chapter 2 is a great place to learn how much God values mentorship. It is His plan for the older men and women to come alongside of the younger to train them in godliness, and guide them toward building a life of no regrets.
7. TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO LOVE THE CHURCH
If we want to teach our children to love God, they need to see that we love God too. And if we want them to learn to love God’s people, they have to observe us loving God’s people. Luke 6:40 says the student will become like his teacher. Notice Jesus didn’t say the student will become as the teacher teaches him to be, rather he will be like his teacher.
8. TO BE A LIGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY
When we commit to loving God and loving others, the light shining from our Christ-honouring love is what the Spirit can use to draw others to know Jesus.
When God’s people commit to fiercely love one another by covering sins with love and readily forgiving one another, their love will be a light that shines brightly in a crooked and perverse generation. Let it begin with us.
9. TO BEAR EACH OTHER’S BURDENS
Galatians 6:2 teaches us to bear each other’s burdens to fulfill the law of Christ. In a moment everything can change. Just when things are going great, a phone call, diagnosis, or a host of other mishaps can leave you feeling afraid and alone. But to those who are a part of a church family never feel alone. When life is going great, they have the affirmation of others. And when life throws a curve, they’re blessed by loving concern, support, and prayer.
10. BECAUSE GOD SAYS TO
Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” I don’t think the writer of Hebrews could make any more clear God’s desire to have us regularly assemble together with His people. Realise that God wanting us to regularly attend church is for our good. He wants us, and His people, to exhort one another especially as the days grow darker and the time of Christ’s return approaches.
CONCLUSION
I remember one man from China explaining how they had to sing hymns no louder than a whisper for fear they would be discovered. Discovery would mean physical abuse, their children and possessions seized, and imprisonment––yet still they met together. Their story should stir our hearts to see the value and incredible privilege we have to meet openly together to worship God and hear the preaching of the Word.
I pray the Holy Spirit stirs in us a zeal and commitment to meet together with God’s people to praise Him, love others, and shine brightly the hope of Christ to a generation who is desperate to believe that what we say we believe is true––is in fact true.
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. – Luke 4:1-2a
Introduction
Lent is a period when the Holy Spirit strengthens us to face the day to day testing and temptations. Just like Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil, we also have power and will to overcome any temptation that comes our way. I invite you to give your whole heart to Jesus Christ and enjoy the power to overcome the devil’s schemes.
Tempted by the devil
One aspect of Jesus’ temptation resolved around what kind of Messiah, or Saviour, He would be and how He would use His anointing (His authority and empowerment) from God. (Many Jews would reject Him because He did not fulfill their expectations of a political “Saviour” who would step forward with military might and free them from Roman rule.)
• Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to serve His own self-interest to gain glory and power over the nations instead of accepting the humility and suffering that was ahead for Him. This was an opportunity for Him to satisfy the people’s expectation for a charismatic Messiah.
• Satan still tempts Christian leaders to use their spiritual authority, position and ability for their own self-interest, to establish their own reputation and power and to please people rather than God. Those who selfishly compromise with Satan have actually surrendered to His control.
• Jesus turned away every one of Satan’s temptations by properly referring to God’s Word (“It is written”). If this was the effective strategy for Jesus, we certainly must know and rely on His Word as revealed to us in the Bible.
LUKE 4:4 – MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.
• Satan tempts Jesus’ “flesh”, or physical desires, of which hunger is perhaps the strongest – particularly after such an extended time without food. While it may have seemed reasonable to perform a miracle to eat, Jesus would not be tempted to use His power for selfish reasons. Jesus meets and resists Satan’s temptation by declaring that He will live by God’s Word above all else.
Jesus is saying that everything truly important in life depends on God and His plans and purposes. To strive for success, happiness or material things apart from God’s way and purpose will lead to disappointment and end in failure.
Jesus emphasized this truth when He taught that we must seek God’s kingdom (God’s authority, activity, purposes and power in our lives) above anything and everything else. If we do, God promises to take care of all our needs and give us all other necessary things just the way He intends.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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