The Gathering, Devotional by Alexis Goring

Image courtesy Pixabay

The Gathering

A devotional written by Alexis A. Goring

Shopping a few days after Christmas with my Mom at our favorite mall, I noticed a big crowd congregating inside a store, poring over the latest technology. I looked up and saw that the store was nameless. There was no visible sign to describe what it was, so I turned to my Mom and asked, “Is that an Apple Store?” My mom immediately said, “Of course. What other store brings people together like that?”

A light bulb turned on and I made an instant connection between that reality and our reality as mere mortals living in a fallen world. It is very common for people to crowd into an Apple Store and pore over all the latest technology. However, it is very uncommon for people to flock to church, fill the pews from the front to the back of the sanctuary, and press into Jesus Christ, allowing His restoring love to pour into our broken hearts.

Why is it that we’re so quick to get the latest technology and stay up to date with it at an Apple Store, but so reluctant to read a Bible and stay in touch with the Author (God)?

I know that we all may be guilty of not spending enough time with God. But think about it. We make time for what matters to us and God should matter most.

People gather religiously at sporting events, favorite stores, cafes, restaurants, and movie theaters. Why don't people flock to church to gather together before the Lord?

Jesus brings people together. His Gathering is of greater purpose than The Apple Store. Why pore over new technology like your life depends on it when you can pore over God's Word and be transformed from the inside out? Most importantly, our life does depend on it.

When Jesus Christ ministered here on Earth, large crowds gathered to hear Him preach about the now and the not yet. He told stories that taught kingdom principles—God's Kingdom principles.

Jesus served food that never faded. He served heavenly manna (Matthew 4:4), words of wisdom to help get you through this life on Earth. His words can help you get into heaven.

Best of all, Jesus is not just a Bible character. He is real. Those characters whose stories are told in the Bible are dead now but the Lord still lives! And He is constantly wooing our hearts to His. He wants us to gather around Him, learn from His life lessons, then go tell the world about Him and His saving grace.

“Jesus is Coming Again” is more than a church hymn. It's a promise. And He keeps His promises!

So won't you gather before the Lord in His church? All He asks is for you to meet Him there once a week. But He does not want church to be your only interaction with Him. He wants you to daily spend time in His presence, read His Word (The Holy Bible) that’s better than all the latest technology, and follow His instructions.

Most of all, He wants you to tell the world about Him because His Gathering is all-inclusive. He wants everyone to be saved.

I found that going to God’s Gathering refreshes my soul and renews my spirit. I can get from God what I cannot get from the Apple Store. I can get peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), complete joy (John 15:11), and guidance from this life to the next (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Won’t you go to God’s Gathering? He’s waiting to welcome you with open arms!

About the Author: Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving Hymn Story ♦ Lucy Adams

 Once again, I'm thrilled to bring you another of Lucy Adams' Hymn Stories especially for today.  Enjoy!

 Come Ye Thankful People Come

by Lucy Adams

What messages were we speaking when we were 16 years old?  Maybe a lot of silly talk and probably not what a young boy, named Henry, wrote in the front of his Bible:

      "I do this day, in the presence of God and my own soul, renew my covenant with God and solemnly determine henceforth to become His, and to do His work as far as in me lies."

Henry Alford was born in London, England on October 7, 1810.  He was nurtured by Christian parents and greatly influenced by a grandfather and a father who were Anglican clergyman.  Their example before him, apparently led to his personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

Upon graduation from Trinity College, Cambridge, he began his lifelong ministry as theologian, poet and musician.

Dr. Alford was eventually appointed as dean of Canterbury Cathedral, known as the "mother-church of England".

His death in 1871 at the age of 61 left a void in the hearts of many people whom God had touched through his ministry.  But the world was left with one of the most memorable hymns of thanksgiving.  It was written to celebrate the times of harvest festival in the English countryside.  It is an invitation to join the festivities in loving response to a faithful God:

        "Come ye, thankful people, come.  Raise the song of harvest home.  All is safely gathered in er'e the winter storms begin."

The following two stanzas summarize the parable that Jesus tells about the wheat and tares in Matthew 13 .  The hymn closes with a prayer of anticipation about "our final harvest home" which is heaven!

After it was first published in 1844, it appeared later in the Anglican church hymnal to be sung to a tune composed by the organist, George Elvey, in the royal chapel of Windsor Castle.  It is the one we still use today.

Henry Alford fulfilled  his commitment to his Lord, as he lived out the promise he made at age 16.  His life was a testimony to that promise and this one song is a tribute to that life.

Praise God that we can also  joyfully  read in Psalm 100: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord" and we are free to "enter His gates with thanksgiving!"

Lucy N. Adams

http://www.52hymns.com/ 

Below is a YouTube video of the choir and congregation of (I assume, according to the caption) St. Georges's Cathedral at Windsor. The lyrics are provided so you can sing along.