Daily Devotional for July 21, 2021

I had seen this years ago and forgotten all about it.  Then, Mark sent it a few days ago.  The message is so important, I decided to share it with you.

“If you’re spiritually alive, you’re going to love this! If you’re spiritually dead, you won’t want to read it.   If you’re spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.   He wrote: “I’ve gone for 30 years now, and in that time, I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time, the preachers and priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all”. 

This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column. Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: 

“I’ve been married for 30 years now.  In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals.  But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this:  They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.  If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. 

Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!” 

This is exactly what you would expect a pastor to say, but I believe it with all my heart.  Going to church is one of the most important things you can do to nurture your spiritual life.  Sadly, there are those who believe attending worship services are not necessary.  They are wrong.

Years ago, a mother told me she let her children decide if they wanted to attend church on Sunday mornings.  I asked if she let her children decide if they wanted to attend school, go to the doctor, or see the dentist?  Needless to say, she did not like my questions.  The conversation went downhill from there.

In looking at the New Testament model of being a faithful disciple of Christ, corporate worship is indispensable.  Nothing’s changed.

My father says corporate worship is a necessity for the Christian walk because it is too hard to do alone.  He’s right.

The author of Hebrews wrote: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The world will always compete for your attention on Sunday mornings.  You are not of this world.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me make the choices that build me up instead of tear me down.  Use me to build up others.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Go to church.  It’s the best gift you can give yourself and your children.

Also, just for the record, if you come to FUMC Temple, you will never have to worry about forgetting any of the sermons.  The sermons are so good, they are considered true works of art.  If you don’t believe me, just ask me.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins