Acts 5:14-16 (NIV) Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

What is it that might draw our friends to church? How can we portray what our church has to offer our relatives who don't yet know the joy of a relationship with the Savior? Do we boast about the various programs they will find that will help them with their finances, heir marriage? Do we brag about our Vacation Bible School production when we invite them to bring their children?

Just what is it that makes us want to invite those we care about to experience our church? Do we want them to see the beautiful building; are we anxious to share the fellowship experience with those we care about? Before we invite someone to join us, perhaps we need to consider why we attend church. 

It might be wise to discover why we are drawn to get up on Sunday morning, the one day we might sleep in, and go to church. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Exciting programs might get our loved ones and their children into the building, but what is it that will keep them coming back? I must ask myself what caused me to return week after week. What was it about my church that was different from other things in my life? Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

Looking back, I know that I felt something different when worshiping, my heart was comforted like never before and I wanted to have more of this. I know now it was the Holy Spirit's presence in the gathering, the peaceful feeling that seemed to be in the air. God used the people around me to help me feel like I was home. My tormented spirit encountered the Holy Spirit of God. Life will never be the same.

Acts 5:12-16

Call of Matthew - Matthew 9:9-17

Do you remember when you first sensed Jesus saying to you, "Follow me?"  Did you listen to the call?  I don't think I listened very well.  I know that Jesus was after me for a long time before I even paid him any attention.  Of course, at the time I did not recognize the call, I didn't know what was going on.  I thank God that he kept after me.

He used other people, especially my grandparents.  He used difficult situations like grief, financial struggles, self-image issues as well as heart break but I still kept on handling it all by myself.  Then, wouldn't you know it, He used a child and a Vacation Bible School program to get my attention.

If only I had been like Matthew, and got right up and followed Jesus. "As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." (Matthew 9:9)  How much more fulfilling and fruitful would my life had been.  But, it is important that I acknowledge how God kept after me.  He still keeps after me.  Just because I now know and love and follow Him, He still keeps after me.

I am writing these devotionals because He is still saying, "Follow me."  He is still after my best interests and wanting me to follow Him to glory.  What's your story?

To read the text for today go here.