Manna in the Morning

Well, once again, it’s Friday... which means Sunday’s coming! Hopefully Sunday will find you in church... gathered with other believers. The sad truth is that many Christians have never stopped to think about why they attend church. They just go! It’s something they’ve always done... in fact, it just doesn’t seem like Sunday unless they go to church. Let’s consider a couple of reason for church attendance. First, Jesus said, “where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.” (Matt. 18:20) So, one primary reason we gather with others in church is so that we may claim the promise of the presence of Jesus. Another reason is that gathering with other believers to worship honors God. He enjoys His Family when they come together in His Name. Another reason is that we are exhorted to “meet together” according to Hebrews 10:25. There are many more reasons but those are sufficient enough to motivate us to attend church this Sunday and every Sunday!

Once again we turn to Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 12 verses 9-13 for what William Barclay calls “the Christian Life in Everyday Action.” It is a very appropriate title for this inspiring section of Scripture because it touches so much of what we face each and everyday. The last exhortation in verse twelve is to be “patient in affliction.” Another translation suggests that we “meet tribulation with triumphant fortitude.” I like that. Encountering troubles and trials is not a matter of “if” but “when.” The way of our journey is not always easy... sometimes there are bumps in the road. The day of our travel is not always sunny... sometimes the storms come. The path that we take in following Jesus is often met with adversity. When trials come we have a choice. We can either be beaten and discouraged or we can face the trial with a sense of victory because of our triumphant faith in Christ. Jesus once said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) Everything may not go the way we want it to today but with faith in God it can go His way! Today is Friday... that means Sunday’s coming. Be in church with the gathered body of Christ on the Lord’s Day and celebrate the victories that He has won for us!

We have been spending some time this week in the 12th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans. In verse 10 Paul writes, “Be affectionate to one another in brotherly love.” What the Apostle is calling for us to do is to truly care for each other as Christians because we are members of the same family. Within the church we should never treat each other as strangers... we should never have our own little cliques or circles that tend to keep some people at a distance. The Church is not a collection of acquaintances... it is not even just a gathering of friends...it is not a club or company of mutual admirers. it is the family of God. It is a family where needs are met... burdens are shared... hearts are encouraged... spirits are lifted... and joy is shared because we are brothers and sisters... children of one Father... God. In another place Paul said, “This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” (I Cor. 12:25,26) So today, I urge you to love and care for each other... that fulfills the law of Christ.

There is an old Gospel Song that is entitled, “Let’s Have a Little Talk With Jesus.” I thought about that song recently when I saw one of the billboards that have sprung up across the country that offer things that God might say to us. An anonymous donor hired an ad agency to “remind people of God, especially people who used to go to church and for some reason don’t go anymore.” Here are some of the messages:

“That ‘Love thy neighbor’ thing. I mean it.”

“Will the road you’re on get you to my place?”

“Have you read my number-one best seller? There will be a test.”

“Loved the wedding. Invite me to the marriage.”

“I don’t question your existence.”

“Keep using my name in vain, and I’ll make rush hour longer.”

“We need to talk,” God.

The best way to begin this day and everyday is to spend some time talking with God. And since, today is Friday... that means that Sunday is coming! Why not make plans now to be in Church and “have a little talk with Jesus”?