A Happy Healthy Church: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

INTRODUCTION

What's the church good for?

Organized religion gets no respect anymore.

True enough, some of that is our own fault. Sometimes Christians haven't made the church look all that appealing. Some have committed great sins and used the organization as cover. And some simply haven't shown much Christ-like love. However, just because some have failed does not mean the concept of "organized religion" is fatally flawed and should be rejected.

I've made my peace with the term. I don't know why anyone thinks that "disorganized" religion or the spiritual anarchy of people believing anything they want should be any better. So let's just call groups of Christians what the Bible calls them--the church.

There are great blessings that come from being attached to a spiritual family, and I'm excited to talk about some of those with you. There's another reason to love the church. It's because Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. God apparently loves organized religion.

In this reading plan you'll find a month's worth of devotions and encouragement from God's Word. It is my hope that you will find great joy, spiritual growth, and opportunities for service in your local
congregation.

--Pastor Mark Jeske