THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL!

Winter has settled in here in Garrett county and, though I am not a big fan of the snow, cold, slush, ice, frostbite and everything else that goes along with it, the first few snows of the year can be exciting.

However, the cold and snow do present some challenges to the ministry.  Being faithful to church services and getting out on visitation and soul winning require greater effort and commitment.

The harsh weather of winter definitely takes its toll on "convenience" Christianity.

Let's remain faithful to our church attendance and soul winning through the winter months for the following reasons:

1. Our Lord's instructions concerning church attendance and personal soul winning are not "weather sensitive." 2 Timothy 2:3, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

   
   

2. We need the consistent fellowship of God's people and the preaching of God's Word in the Winter just as much as the rest of the year. Hebrews 10:25, "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." Note:  we all knew this verse was going to show up sometime in this list.

3. The Devil does not take the Winter off, nor does he "stay home" when the snow falls. 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

   
   

4. Usually, the more effort that is required, the more reward that is received. Proverbs 14:23, "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury."

   
   

5. People in our community (and around the world) die without Christ in the Winter when it is difficult to get to them just as much as in the Summer when it is easier to get to them. (Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:")

   
   

6. Our missionaries need the regular, faithful giving of God's people back here in our home church in Winter, just as much as in the summer. 1 Corinthians 4:2, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." I have found that when most believers miss a church service, they miss giving that week's tithe and faith promise offering.

   
   

7. We are designed by God in such a way that we need the regular intake of God's Word, not just in daily Bible reading, but by the public preaching of the Word in regular church services. 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

   
   

8. It has been in the Winter when the weather was bad and the crowds were small that we have had some of the sweetest fellowship and the strongest presence of God in our services.

That is not to say we don't have great services throughout the year.  We do!  We have had some extremely powerful services in all seasons, but it seems that, when the weather is bad and a greater effort is required to get out that God pours out an extra special blessing.

Let's determine, right here at the beginning of the "bad weather" season that we will make every (reasonable) effort to be in God's house and be active in the Gospel ministry.  Let's give the Devil a "black eye" this Winter and make it clear to Heaven and earth that we are committed to the Lord Jesus, His church and His cause.