Love Makes the Church Lovely

Daily Reading: Numbers 24

Scripture Focus: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! (Numbers 24.5)

Devotional Thought: When I first got saved, the Malones and Frieces would pick me up and take me to church. I grew and prospered in my soul because of their faithfulness to pick up a teenager who had no other way to get to church. At first it was just Sunday morning church. I remember one occasion, however, when there came a knock on my door on a Sunday evening. It was the Malones!

"What are you doing here?" I said.

"We came to take you to church."

"What? You mean there's church on Sunday night? I'm coming!"

Why was a fourteen year old kid so excited to go to church? There was not a gym where we had 'youth night' with games and refreshments. There was not a youth pastor who would entertain us and talk to us about important life issues. There was not loud, upbeat music that got us excited. As a matter of fact, according to today's 'experts' I should not have been in church at all. What was it that drew me to Pioneer Church of the Nazarene? What made that church a lovely place to me?

It was love that made the church lovely! I wanted to go there because I was loved - by God, of course, but also by people. I couldn't get enough love. I wonder if that is what is missing in today's strategies of reaching a new generation.

How lovely are your tents, O Church of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the love which fills your church. Help me to add to that love level by being on fire for God and in love with saints and sinners alike. Amen!

Psalm of the Day: 169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word! 170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. (Psalms 119:169-176)