Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, August 27, 2012

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one anotherâ€"and all the more as you see the Day approaching."¹

You've probably read about the man who quit attending church and was visited by his pastor.

According to the story, "It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

"Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it."

"As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'"²

Note: Be sure to read, "Benefits of a Good Church" at: http://tinyurl.com/bs9jf

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to realize the need to be involved in a good church where the people believe in your Word and live in harmony with the principles found therein. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV).
2. Author unknown.

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