I don't have any use for organized religion. I have my own form of spirituality, and I don't need some preacher or congregation to help me get in touch with the Divine. Churches are just human institutions, and they don't have any place in my understanding of God. — T.E.

I'm sorry you feel this way because I know you are missing out on many of the blessings God has in store for you.

You see, just as we need other people in order to have a fulfilling social and emotional life, so we need others to have a fulfilling spiritual life. God wants us to grow in our relationship with Him—and one of the ways this happens is through the encouragement and help of others. This is one reason the Bible says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another" (Hebrews 10:25).

But I suspect there is a deeper issue you need to face in your life—and that is your true relationship to God. Only one thing separates us from God, and that is our sin. But have you faced your need of His forgiveness, and have you honestly and humbly turned in faith to Jesus Christ and asked Him to forgive your sins? Don't make up your own ideas about God, but understand from the Bible who He really is, and commit your life to Christ.

No, churches aren't perfect; as I heard someone say once, if you ever found a perfect church, it would stop being perfect the minute you joined it! But don't let this keep you from the help you need—both from God, and from His people.