A few things...

I wanted to share a few things I either learned, or was refreshed in during the past day or so...
Let me say, I am saved. I have accepted Christ as my Savior long ago. We "belong" to a church (that we love). But, lately, I have let stress take over my life. I have only been to church when it's convenient for me. I have only been in the Word, occasionally. Right now, I won't get into all the specifics of what is going on, what happened, and what led me to this point. But, I was at a point, THIS WEEK, where something had to give. I called on someone, who I believe to be an awesome woman of God, and I feel her words came straight from God. I also spent some time on my own...looking up some answers in the Bible to things I had been thinking about. These are just a few of those important things I feel God calls us on...

Should we be in church regularly?
Hebrew 10:25 says "Let us not give up on 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"
Yes, we should be in church regularly.

Should we be in the word?
I know, the answer should be obvious...again, just some things I was struggling in that brought me to this...
The Bible is a LIVING BOOK "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth" Jeremiah 1:9

Someone wise shared this with me...
If you get married and take vows, then go out and live as if you aren't married...what good were those vows? What was the reason for them? What did it mean?
Therefore, If we confess we believe Jesus was sent to Earth, died on the cross, and rose again for our sins. If we accept Him as our Savior...then go on living a regular life, just like we always have, making choices that are not concurrent with what God has planned for us...what good was that commitment? If we are in church, and in the Word...we are more accountable...we are learning, growing, we are refreshed to walk with Him. In other words, you HAVE to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

I also wondered about being around those that cause you (me) to stumble.
Or, what if WE are the ones causing someone to stumble?
Matthew 18 talks about how "woe" will come to those who aid in stumbling others.
By this you don't serve God, but your own instincts.

Turning away from those that cause you to stumble does not mean hatred or judgement-but cautionary stances-and when they are ready to repent, we must be ready to forgive.
To me, this says that if someone causing you to stumble, call them on it. Then, if they are ready to change, be there to help them. If not, let them know you need to step away, but will be ready to forgive and help them when they get ready. This also applies to fellow Christians who are trapped in sin. Call them on it. As Christians, they know better and need to be held accountable. Don't let them bring you down. But, when they are ready to repent, be there for them.

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed-the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective".

It's kind of all over the place I know, but, that's where I was..."all over the place".
I feel refreshed and refocused. I feel recommitted to living the life HE wants for me. I feel awesome.