Pumped Up
PUMPED UP
Read Hebrews 10:19-25.
Every Sunday morning Bart grumbled about going to church. He complained about having to get up early, about his clothes, and about anything else he could think of. “Why do we always go to church?” he whined.
Dad rumpled Bart’s hair as he walked by. “It’s good for you,” he said.
That afternoon Bart and his dad decided to take a bike ride. “My tires are a little soft,” said Bart as they started out. “I meant to pump them up at the gas station yesterday, but I forgot. I think they’ll be fine, though.”
“We could pump them up before we go,” suggested Dad.
“I don’t feel like bothering,” replied Bart. “They’ll be fine. Let’s go.”
Before long, Bart began to get tired. “Whew, it’s hard to pedal with soft tires,” he exclaimed. He was glad when they finally reached home. He ran and got the tire pump. After the tires were filled, Bart tried the bike. “It pedals easy as pie now,” he said.
Dad nodded. “Good,” he said. “But now it’s time to put your bike away and get ready for the evening service.”
“Aw, Dad,” whined Bart. “It seems like we just got back from church. I was thinking of taking another spin on my bike.”
“I was thinking too,” said Dad. “Just as it’s hard work to ride a bike with soft tires, it’s hard work to live for God without the things we learn in church and Sunday school. It’s hard work to live without the encouragement we get from other Christians. We need to get ‘pumped up’ regularly with God’s Word and with Christian fellowship. It pays to take time to do that.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes complain about having to go to church? You need constant encouragement to live as God wants you to live.
TO MEMORIZE:
Think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24
GO TO CHURCH.
From the book
