Dear followers,

The following is the January 2020 newsletter from Rachel Himes, Director of the We Care Pregnancy Clinic in Punxsutawney. I was so moved by what she wrote that I asked, and received, permission to post it here. May you be blessed as I was by the words the Holy Spirit gave her.

“…Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…” – Hebrews 10:25 KJV

Friends,

I want to touch on practical ways and reasons why we need to “remember our God.”

I have been a follower of Christ for more than twenty-five years of my adult life. I do not take His Word lightly. But I have seen more and more apathy towards the things of God in this past decade than ever in my lifetime. We officially live in a generation who draws a greater portion of their doctrine and understanding of God from modern culture more than from Scripture. I want to remind us why we should “not forsake the assembling …”

We are commanded to. Plain and simple. And quite frankly, that should be enough.

It sharpens us. I have had my understanding of Scripture challenged and grown more by conversations in a Sunday school classroom than any teaching I’ve studied. I’m more of an introvert by nature, but I don’t use it as an excuse to avoid community. In fact, the historical account of every great move of God recorded happened in an assembly.

It reminds us we are not alone. The testimony of those around us is powerful. In fact, Revelation says we will overcome by two things: The blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. They are both powerful and both necessary.

The slow fade: An ember removed from the fire gradually loses its burn. Returning it to the fire will reignite it. And all of the embers together burn the brightest.

Sunday morning service is a commitment for me. No excuses.

But the enemy gives us reasons why we should not. Maybe he’s thrown some your way:

I’ve outgrown the church. Really? When babies grow up, they become adults. And their God-given job is to help raise the next babies into adults. Try teaching or serving.

 Hypocrites. Yep. They exist. Did in Jesus’ day and now. Don’t be one.

 I am spiritually strong and don’t need community. Like the head doesn’t need a hand? Because Scripture is very plain about the church being a body and that it should work together.

Sunday is the only day I can sleep in. I get it. Change your schedule. Because whatever in your life is more important than obeying God has taken a place above Him.

What does this have to do with me? you may ask. Everything. Maybe you go to church. Maybe you are in a small group. If you are, wonderful. I commend you.

But if you have pulled away for any reason at all, know the enemy is already using that to hurt the body of Christ, both by what you lose and by what you have to give. And don’t just go there, show up. Give. Serve. Participate. Scripture says we will reap when we sow. If you sow nothing, don’t expect to get a return.

I have heard many people say the modern, American church isn’t what Jesus intended. OK … but? If you read the letters Paul had to write to the early churches, you’ll see they weren’t either. But he urged the believers to keep pressing in and pressing on. He cited the great works God was doing in their midst.

If you think a church has to be perfect for God to move there, you’ve forgotten how utterly dependent we are on His grace to begin with. And frankly, if you’ve left the church over offenses by pastors or congregation members, or because of disagreements, you have allowed the enemy to draw a dividing line at your feet.

We weren’t promised it would feel good. We weren’t promised it would be easy. We weren’t promised we’d like all the people in our “family.” But we were told to stay diligent, stay alert, and stay committed. And if you’re not getting anything at all from it, I urge you to check your heart condition. Because God is always in the midst of His people. His Word says so. But just as a radio wave is present at all times in the air, one must be tuned to the station to hear it.

Friends, tune in. Shake the dust from your feet. If you believe we are living in the last days, there is work to be done. Be alert.

–Rachel Himes, Director,We Care Pregnancy Clinic, Punxsutawney

EXCITING UPDATES:

We are more than half way through our training scans. Please pray with us that we can finish this course and open sonograms to the public this spring. (MTH note: Technicians are being trained to use the donated sonogram machine so that those who come to the clinic will be able to see a sonogram of their baby. Statistics show those who have seen sonograms of their unborn babies opt to give birth and not have an abortion.)

Our banquet is officially set for Friday, May 8 of this year, Mother’s Day weekend. Please mark your calendar now. It will be exciting.

© 2020 Rachel Himes. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

For more information about We Care Pregnancy Center, click here.