Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another… Hebrews 10:23–25

At times, for all kinds of different reasons, Church can feel like hard work. But Paul encourages us not to stop meeting together. We need each other.

Our Enemy is likened to a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). My son is crazy about animals, so I have learnt a lot about animals in recent times! I have learnt that lions, when they are hunting, look for the easy targets, the weak, sick or young animals, or those that are easy to separate from the herd. An Animal that is on its own is a prime target for a lion. Our enemy is not so different. A lone Christian is a much easier prospect for him, far easier to pick off and devour, than one that is surrounded by other Christians.

We are stronger when we are part of a church, part of God’s body. We all have a role to play. The church is weaker if we are not in it. Church should be a place where we are nurtured, taught, strengthened and encouraged, and where we in turn give the same opportunities to others. As much as it depends on us, let’s not make ourselves easy targets for an unfair enemy and instead choose to invest in fellowship and friendships that encourage and strengthen.

Emma Whittall works in a pre-school in Stockholm, is a children’s worker, church planter, wife & mother. These devotionals were first published in Swedish as part of Andaktsboken för mammor år 2