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amusements We live in a nation that certainly likes to entertain ourselves. We have amusement parks scattered all over the country. Even in our great state of Missouri we have more than one. Kansas City has two major amusement parks, Saint Louis has them and then there is Branson which is built upon amusing people. I don’t know how many people travel to Branson each year to be amused. I remember when Silver Dollar City first began you could visit there and it did not cost one red penny to get in. But cost is no object to countless numbers of people today. Generally speaking amusement parks offer clean entertainment; however, too much of entertainment has the tendency to lead one away from God and serving Him. These amusement parks do everything they can to draw you to them. Nearly every day they advertise on our televisions in an effort to get you to come and visit them; of course they are after your money! Sadly many who profess to be Christians are drawn there on the first day of the week. Of course I am aware that the churches have their largest attendance during the vacation season. But I also know that if you were to take a survey of any of the parks you would find many professed Christians there at the hour of worship. What does God have to say about amusements? What should we do; where should we be on the first day of the week? I firmly believe that we should be assembled with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be there encouraging one another: (Heb 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." The same writer also informs us that it is better to suffer affliction with the people of God than to be engaged in sin even for a short period of time: (Heb 11:25) "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;" I, for one find comfort being assembled with people of like precious faith. Don’t you find delight in hearing God’s Word proclaimed, singing praises to God, praying together, partaking of the Lord’s Supper and giving back to God who gives us all good gifts? When you forsake the assembly does it bother you? Some think they are having so much fun that it never enters their minds what they are doing is wrong. Can this be the work of the devil? (1 Tim 4:2) "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" Friends, if you find nothing wrong in going to any type of amusement instead of worshipping God you are lying to yourself! Satan has seared your conscience; he has you right where he wants you. Could it be that you have allowed amusements to choke out the Word of God? (Luke 8:14) "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Please take note that Jesus makes specific mention of “pleasures of this life.” He said that this seed fell among “thorns.” If you have ever been stuck by any thorn you know as well as I do it hurts. If that thorn should be amusement the harm that is done is to your spiritual life. If we aren’t careful God will be choked right out of our lives! Think about this; if you choose amusement over worship you are actually rejecting God: (Job 21:14-15) "Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. {15} What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?" Perhaps you say “The only time I don’t go to worship is when I am on vacation.” What would you think if God were to go on vacation? What if God were to say “I’m going on vacation this weekend, I deserve a little rest and relaxation so I’m going to rest from giving out my grace!” Now you find yourself facing God at the Day of Judgment and the books are opened and under your name God finds some unforgiven sins. You ask God “Why?” God replies, “I’m sorry but that was the week I was on vacation.” Of course such will never happen because God is faithful and He expects the same of you and me.
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