[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for November 17 2012

[Paul]

Hello and good day to you all.  I hope that we in North America had a great day today, and that we will be ready to do the same tomorrow in our respective houses of worship as we have fellowship with Him and with fellow saints of the Most High God.

Ruth Andrews comes back to us again with her article, very appropriate for this time of the week, entitled "Church," rendered as follows:

Do we need church? Can we live the Christian life on our own without being part of a church?

The apostle Paul called the church the body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12:27). Each part of that body is dependent on the others just as the parts of our bodies are dependent on one another. One part of the body cannot say, "I don't need you."

The church, or the body of Christ, is like a family. A family can encourage and love us. A family teaches the right way to live. We hear a statement something like, "I can worship God just as well at the lake." When I hear this, I think, Do you even think of the Lord?

I was traveling across the western states with my family. Sunday morning found us at the majestic Grand Canyon. Standing on the rim of the canyon, my heart sang with praise and thanksgiving to God who created such grandeur. I truly had a time of worship, but this private worship could not and should not replace worship with a church family.

"The church is full of hypocrites" is another statement we hear. The person who says this is implying that people who go to church should be perfect. We know this is impossible. What such a person does not understand is that Christians are sinners saved by the grace of Jesus.

Here is an illustration about a flock of geese. Each spring and fall we see V-shaped formations of geese fly far above us.

Scientists have discovered the reason for the V-formation. As each birds flaps its wings, it creates a draft for the bird directly behind it. By flying in a V-formation, the flock adds at least 71% to its flying range.

When a goose falls out of formation, it immediately feels the wind drag of flying alone and quickly gets back into formation.

Like the goose that deliberately attempts to fly on its own, a Christian who tries to go off alone will run into trouble. This believer is likely to be drawn into the world's value system.

When a goose is sick or injured, two more geese will follow it down to protect and help it until it flies or it dies.

When a Christian falls, his church family can support him and pray with him, encouraging him to keep trusting in God. Do we need church? Absolutely.

And there you have Ruth's article for today.  The only comment I have is really a question: Suppose you just go to your local house of worship and, as happens all too often, members don't recognize you or pay attention to you? Then what is one to do? Well, in my case, I left another congregation for the one I'm presently worshiping in, and it made all the difference.  Of course, in many cases with us blind or disabled people, that's easier said than done. I just gambled with the Lord, or should I say followed His lead, in changing churches, and it was the best thing I ever did.  Tomorrow, instead of joining the church, Pastor Cook told me that I will be given "the right hand of fellowship," a term I personally like much better than joining a particular group of believers. Who knows, but maybe Ruth's article will engender some discussion. Unfortunately I don't know how to contact her, but what she wrote over seven years ago still is as valid today as it was when she wrote it, and I'm sure will be for many years, as it was for many years before this article's writing.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live. Your Christian friend and brother, Paul