From the "Lifeway" daily devotional, July 6th:
The church is the body of believers, not the building where the believers assemble. It is the group with whom we marry our children, bury our dead, receive comfort in crisis, accept meals in sickness, partake of the Lord's Supper, learn about the character of God, become trained in doctrine, commune with Christ, fellowship with other believers, become discipled in the way we should walk, develop a personal ministry, honor God with our tithes and offerings, bring unsaved friends, hear the preaching of God's Word, express our spiritual gifts, raise our children in spiritual instruction, and take vows for which we are accountable.
Have you ever really considered the depth of the role your church plays in your life and the life of your family? A great need today is that Christians revalue the church - that they recognize the importance of membership in a vital body of believers. Supporting a local church through membership - not merely attendance - represents the most significant of the public spiritual disciplines. If we truly love Christ, we will want to be around his people. - Patrick Morley
Vacation Bible School
