Here is Tom Sawyer’s description of public worship. He says, “The announcements are made from a list that would stretch to the crack of doom.” The prayer is, to use his words, “generous in its details”. Furthermore, Tom is so familiar with the prayer that he knows it by heart, and so he recognizes and resents any new additions to it. The preacher’s sermon drones on monotonously through an argument that is so prosy that many a head begins to nod. Basically, the worship services bore Tom.

We really need to examine our church services in case a Tom Sawyer attends.

Matthew 15:9

In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

1 Timothy 3:15

if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Church can be a dangerous place.

Acts 20:9

And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 

Come out some Sunday and let us know how we’re doing.

Give it some thought.

Gary

An older sister was sitting next to her little brother in church one Sunday morning, unsuccessfully trying to keep him still and quiet. Finally, she said, “I wish you would calm down.”  “I can’t,” he said. “It’s just so boring.”  His sister turned and said, “It’s supposed to be boring.”

That girl didn’t get the purpose for being there and neither did her brother. Maybe the whole congregation, including the preacher, didn’t get it. Here is the real meaning of coming into God’s presence.

John 4:23

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.

Hebrews 13:15

Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.

Psalm 96:9

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!

There are no points earned for going to church, nor is it pleasing to God if you are giving Him an hour during which you are bored.  However, God is not far away if you see the time spent as fellowship with your Creator.

Give it some thought.

Gary

After attending church one Sunday morning, a little boy knelt at his bedside that night and prayed, “Dear God, we had a good time at church today–but I wish you had been there!”

Did you know that God doesn’t attend every church service? The reason being: He is not invited in. That was the case in the church in Laodicea.

Revelation 3:20

 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

We need to keep the things of the world out of our services and bring God in. This has been the situation ever since the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Make sure when you attend church, God is there.

Think about it.

Gary

John Kenneth Galbraith, in his autobiography, A Life in Our Times, illustrates the devotion of Emily Gloria Wilson, his family’s housekeeper:

It had been a wearying day, and I asked Emily to hold all telephone calls while I had a nap. Shortly thereafter the phone rang. Lyndon Johnson was calling from the White House. “Get me Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson.”

“He is sleeping, Mr. President. He said not to disturb him.”

“Well, wake him up. I want to talk to him.”

“No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you.

When I called the President back, he could scarcely control his pleasure.

“Tell that woman I want her here in the White House.”

Published by Houghton Mifflin, Reader’s Digest, December, 1981

So, what’s the commitment of the employee to the employer? Do we wing it and go by our own rules or do we do what we are commanded?

Ephesians 6:5-8 

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

There is no better testimony than that which can be seen in the workplace.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The idiom “step up to the plate” is derived from the American sport of baseball. Home plate is the beginning position in baseball, designated by a flat marker known as home plate. This is where the mettle of the player is tested. It is where the men are separated from the boys.

The Apostle Peter offered a similar challenge to the early church. It was time to step up and be counted.

1 Peter 3:15

 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Always be gentle and respectful with people. Be ever prepared to give an educated and honest presentation as to what you believe. It all starts with the heart surrounded and saturated with the love of Christ. It’ll find its opportunity.

Give it some thought and knock it out of the park.

Gary

A friend recently asked how I come up with the material for these devotionals. Being on the planet for almost seventy years is the short answer. Forty-five years of sermons provides me with a lot of material. Possessing a memory that goes back to sometime in 1955 is a treasure trove.  Remembering songs that had meaning and were not just noise are a part of that. Growing up in a wonderful community was a real asset. Finding myself in a safe and loving family, although a spoiled brat, didn’t hinder. I was blessed to have teachers who knew I didn’t want to learn but didn’t give up on me. Outstanding friends, that were unique and true, paved the way. Inheriting a church that has an appetite for the Word of God made success a possibility. The English teacher who is committed to checking my final drafts is an asset.  On top of everything else, a Savior who loved me, gave Himself for my soul, and is the Vine to which I cling is my ultimate source. I’m sure I’m leaving out other things, but I’m trying to keep this short.

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Thanks to a friend who caused me to think about it.

Gary

“I would trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday” makes for a popular country and western song. However, if that’s your philosophy on life, then you don’t have a future. It may be that some thinking needs to be readjusted. It could be that some new goals need to be instituted. The possibility exists that the wrong voices have influenced you.

The hope of the Christian is to get out of this place and enjoy eternity.

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon His face
The One who saved me by His grace
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be

Think about it.

Gary