~Daily Devotion 21st~

But now as I think back, I never wanted to miss church. I loved going and never had a doubt about attending. There was always something going on at church, it was a part of my life.

I have heard people say that they didn't need to be inside a church in order to worship God. That they could worship God anyplace, especially outside, in nature where they would have the beauty of His creation around them.

I remember a story I read a long time ago told in a book written by Sam Justice.

"He said that his father was a minister and if the church doors were open, he was expected to be there. He said one day, he questioned his father about going to church. He said he told his father he could worship God any place. If it be inside or outside. His father gently explained to him that his relationship to God was two-pronged; not only did it involve his relationship with God, but also his relationship with his fellow man. He said his father pointed to their parlor fireplace where a bed of coals lay glowing. Then, with a pair of tongs, he lifted a fiery coal from the grate and placed it on the heath. Its glow gradually diminished and finally went out. He said his father did not say a word, but with the tongs again picked up the coal and placed it back in the grate, where it soon took on a new life among the other embers an began to glow brightly again.

He said his father then turned to him and said," Son, that flame is like the body of Christ. Without fellowship, we become separated and our faith turns to ashes. We need the renewal that comes when we are joined together in worship as on Body. After that we can each go our own way, but periodically we must return to renew our glow."

Mr. Justice said, : "As you can imagine, I never again objected to going through those church doors every time they were open."

(I Corinthians 12:27 says, " Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular"

Attending church is important. A lot of people can go on Sunday morning and that does them for a week. But I can tell you, you need to attend when the church doors are open. When your cup gets empty, you need to have it filled up again.

So please attend church this week and don't wait until next Sunday. Wednesday night would be a good refilling, don't you agree?

Inspired By: The Holy Spirit

Written By: Patricia H. Aman

Notes: Sam Justice's Journals