2014 July 29 - Morning Manna

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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 (Hebrews 10:22-25).

 

Today’s Morsel: The story is told by John MacArthur, entitled, “Object Lesson”, of a pastor who went to visit a man who didn’t attend church very faithfully.  The man was sitting before a fire, watching the warm glow of the coals.  It was a cold winter day, but the coals were red hot and the fire was warm. The pastor pleaded with the man to be more faithful in meeting with the people of God, but the man didn’t seem to be getting the message.  So the pastor took the tongs beside the fireplace, pulled open the screen, and reached in and began to separate all the coals. When none of the coals were touching the others, he stood and watched in silence.  In a matter of moments, they were all cold… The man got the message.

Many people feel that they can do without the church, but this is not true.  The church is for the perfecting of the saints.  It is for your protection and it gives you a strong support network when you are facing trials and tribulations in your life.  Paul said we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  When a person says that they don’t need the church, they have already accepted a lie from the devil.  I saw a bumper sticker once on the back of a car which said, “Either drive yourself to church, or we’ll carry you” Johnson’s funeral home.   Remember, there is one body, but many members. Ask yourself, is the body deformed because I’m missing?

 

Sing: I need you, you need me, we’re all a part of God’s family. You pray for me, and I’ll pray for you, we’re all a part of God’s family. I won’t harm you, with word from my mouth; we’re all a part of God’s family.