Why I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Gospel Meeting

I′m not a prophet, nor am I psychic, but I can tell you right now something about the week of the Gospel Meeting. I already know that week I will be tired. Doing things all day long, then going to a meeting every night wears you out. I already know that I will be pretty busy that week. A lot goes on behind the scene during a meeting, plus I′ll have to do my normal work of getting ready for next Sunday. But in spite of this I′ve already made up my mind—I plan to be at every service of the meeting. Let me tell you a few reasons that I′ve already made that commitment.
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting...because I want to obey God. When the Bible says, "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together," (Hebrews 10:25Hebrews 10:25
  25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.) it doesn′t specify just the Lord′s Day assembly. Yes, the Lord′s day is special and required, but the early church on occasion assembled for special times of worship and study, (Acts 2:46Acts 2:46
  46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,). Any service where saints gather as a formal assembly of the church where the Bible is taught, prayers are lifted up to God, and songs praise the Lord—this is a service I need to be at. The Lord is surely worthy of my dedication to these worship services. "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness," (Psalms 29:2Psalms 29:2
  2. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.).
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting... because I believe Jesus will be there. "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them," (Matthew 18:20Matthew 18:20
  20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.). Evidently, Jesus doesn′t forsake any assembly, and I want to be with HIM. His is the sweetest fellowship on earth.
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting... because I will be made stronger. "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified,", (Acts 20:32Acts 20:32
  32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.). Why should I want to miss ANY service?
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting... so that I will set a good example. Many look my way and follow in my steps, (Matthew 5:14–16Matthew 5:14–16
  14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.). My influence will be either good or bad. I want my brethren, my mate, my children, my neighbors, and my Lord to know that I am on the Lord′s side (and by the way, I want the devil to know it, too). If you "sit out" the meeting your influence won′t be with Christ, but against Him. And parents, let me add this extra thought about your influence on your family. The saddest thing on earth is a child who is not being shown a proper example in regard to our duty to God, Jesus or the Bible. Give your children an opportunity to learn truth that can help them and get them ready for eternity before it′s too late.
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting... because our congregation will grow. "Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation," (I Peter 2:2I Peter 2:2
  2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:). "But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ," (Ephesians 4:15Ephesians 4:15
  15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:). If we all faithfully attend this meeting, Union Road will be a stronger congregation, a more knowledgeable people, and we will be more encouraged to do what God expects in days ahead.
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting... because I am excited to be together with brethren. Paul said to the Roman brethren, "I long to see you...that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other′s faith, both yours and mine," (Romans 1:11–12Romans 1:11–12
  11. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
  12. That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.). I, like Paul, "find refreshing rest in your company," (Romans 15:32Romans 15:32
  32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.). It is always beneficial and appropriate to praise God among other worshippers—"I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people," (Psalms 35:18Psalms 35:18
  18. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.).
I Plan to Be at Every Service of the Meeting... to show my love and gratitude. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits," (Psalms 103:2Psalms 103:2
  2. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:). The Lord has blessed me so much with a wonderful family, a fine congregation, prosperity that gives me ample food, clothing and shelter. I want to use this opportunity to say "Thank You" to God. And remember what the Savior said about showing love for Him: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the words," (John 14:15, 21, 24aJohn 14:15, 21, 24a
  15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
  24a. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:).

Those are my reasons, now how about you? Do you plan to be at every service of our Gospel Meeting?