Marie’s daily verse: Psalm 133 :1 NLTHow wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony!

DAILY DEVOTION, December 15, 2021

 I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6 KJV).

Israel was to proclaim the name of God to the Gentile world. God intended to draw both Jews and Gentiles (us!) into His kingdom. The Jews were called to be a light to the Gentile nations. How did they do? Not very well. Jews hated Gentiles and wanted nothing to do with them. As a result, the Gentiles did not think much of Israel’s God (see Romans 2:24).

What does this have to do with us? Sometimes we are critical of those who do not attend church. We need to be careful not to drive people away from God because of our bad behavior. Some people cannot attend church because of illness or work hours. Some people do not attend church because the behavior of some members has deeply hurt them. I have heard it several times over the years. “I did attend church, but…” Then they describe some church member’s bad behavior that discouraged them from attending. I will always remember a young man who quit the church because his pastor had an illicit affair. Can you blame him?

We are known as a friendly church. Let’s keep it up so that visitors and regular members always feel welcome. Let’s be vigilant to watch our words and deeds carefully so that we do not drive some soul away from Christ and His church.

Father, I pray I will never drive anyone away from your church. Guard my tongue and my acts so that they are filled with Your love. I want to be Your instrument drawing people to Christ and His church. In Jesus’ name, Amen.