Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional ; Wednesday, 7th August 2019 ;
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;
AN ASSEMBLAGE OF THE GOD-KIND;
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity… for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore (Psalm 133:1-3).
Whenever we come together for corporate worship in church, it’s not an ordinary gathering; it’s an assemblage of the God-kind; a real family gathering. It’s not a gathering of several individuals with different ideas, no! We’re united in spirit, of one mind in the presence of the Holy Ghost who Himself is God.
I don’t know what this means to you, but I think it’s the most beautiful gathering of all; better than any political rally, sports, entertainment or any other social event. In our theme scripture, David’s understanding and description of the blessedness of the gathering of God’s people is quite profound. He said therein, God commands His blessings, even life forevermore. Hallelujah!
How could anyone read that and miss a church service? That would be because they don’t understand the Body of Christ; they don’t understand the power released when we come together. Every time you come into church for worship, you’re in the place of blessings. Paul, by the Spirit, calls it the General Assembly and church of the “Firstborn” (Hebrews 12:23). This is far more sublime and prestigious than the United Nations General Assembly.
Cultivate the habit of going to church, irrespective of your tight schedule. Every church service is specially designed with you in mind. They’re special times for fellowship, learning, cleansing, edification and glorification. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is….”
Be like David, who said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). Always be excited to go to church, for that’s God’s place of appointment to bless you and touch your life in a special way.
PRAYER
Gracious Father, I thank you for the Church of Jesus Christ, the ground and pillar of truth. I pray for the Church around the world that there’s unity, stability, and growth, as we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Corinthians 1:2 AMPC;
To the church (assembly) of God which is in Corinth, to those consecrated and purified and made holy in Christ Jesus, [who are] selected and called to be saints (God’s people), together with all those who in any place call upon and give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
Acts 9:31 AMPC
31 So the church throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was edified [growing in wisdom, virtue, and piety] and walking in the respect and reverential fear of the Lord and in the consolation and exhortation of the Holy Spirit, continued to increase and was multiplied.
Acts 11:26
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
DAILY SCRIPTRUE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 9:30-10:1-21 & Psalms 78
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 13:31-35 & Judges 13-14