the Critical Care Unit

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 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.

Hebrews 10:24,25 NIV

The church is the spiritual Critical Care Unit for those seeking much needed spiritual care. The church is the body of Christ, it is where we get what we need to keep us spiritually healthy. If one doesn't meet together with the church it is hard to maintain a healthy walk in Christ.

The Hebrew writer shares some important thoughts in chapter ten. He speaks about considering how to spur one another on to love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together and encouraging one another. Really he is talking about what is necessary for a Christian's spiritual well being.

When he says “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”. He saying let's put our heads together and find ways of helping one another love as Christ did and find ways of doing good for others as He did.

He then says “let us not give up meeting together”, because not meeting with the church is a bad habit to get in to. It is when we are together that we are the strongest. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says this; “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”. NIV There is strength in numbers. When we meet together regularly we grow stronger, we are better equipped to withstand all that the world has to throw at us.

His final point is to remind us that our meeting together is how we encourage one another to remain faithful until the end. Just like crowds gather at a sporting event to cheer their team on to victory, we need to gather to cheer each other on to victory in Christ.

So visit the Critical Care Unit when they gather, get the much needed spiritual care to help you on your way. Not only will you get the help you need , you will be giving help to others as well.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman

We're all terminal

We're all terminal

For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Ezekiel 18:4 NIV

As stated in the above verse “the soul who sins is the one who will die”. We're not just talking about physical death here, we're talking about the death of the soul. Without Christ that is the destiny of the soul. This really points out the effects of sin, sin goes deep. It destroys the soul.

Jesus said this, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell”. Matthew 10:28 Physical death isn't what we need to worry about, it is the death of the soul that we need to be concerned with. Because without Jesus we are terminal, we are going to die a spiritual death. The apostle Paul said this, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. So, if all have sinned then all are in danger of death.

Physical death always looms before us we know our time is limited. The psalmist said “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath”. So consideration of our souls condition must be dealt with while there is still time. The only hope we have for our souls wellbeing is Jesus.

Ezekiel told us that the soul who sins will die, Jesus said God can destroy the body and soul in hell, and Paul said we all have sinned. We all need Jesus. You, me, everyone needs Him to cure us of our souls disease, sin.

If your sins have been washed away and you are in Christ, your soul is safe. But if not, your soul is in danger. Consider today what the status of your soul is. If you have any doubts, its time to do something about it. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

Only the soul that is forgiven of its sins will be saved.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman