Proclaim and Praise Lent Devotional - Book - Page 88
Ralph Douglas West
Often, we want to attend a church that does not have
many people under fire. We look for a place where everyone
appears perfect. But we must go where people have been
forgiven of their sins and found in their lostness. It is there, in
true fellowship, that we open up and new life develops.
Church is a good place4but you cannot truly love church if
you keep God on a schedule. If you only pencil God into your
calendar when it is convenient, you do not understand church.
You do not attend church; you are the church. Church is
where people come to pray for you. We must be careful not to
become so perfectionistic or legalistic that we require people
to meet a certain standard before they belong.
criteria.
Heavenly Father, we know the church is as vital to believers
as breathing. Despite the pain we9re going through, we9re
going to joyfully gather together with other brothers and
sisters in the faith for support and encouragement. Forgive us
when we avoid church because it is inconvenient or because
we feel the people there do not meet our
