Document: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db931219.TXT
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    OUR DAILY BREAD                       Sunday, December 19, 1993
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    Read:  Galatians 3:26-4:3

                      GOING TO CHURCH WITHOUT SOCKS

             Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
                   The Lord of glory, with partiality.
                               --James 2:1

    In  his  Prison Fellowship newsletter, Chuck Colson  tells  of  a
    pastor who was putting the final touches on his sermon early  one
    Sunday  morning when he heard a knock on his  study  door.  There
    stood  three  ragged  boys who had  received  gifts  from  church
    members.  Their home was ravaged by drugs and prostitution.  They
    had never been in a church before and wanted to look  around.  So
    the pastor gave them a quick "tour."

    Fifteen  minutes  later  they were back,  asking  what  time  the
    service started.  "Can people come to your church if their  socks
    don't  match?"  asked the oldest.  The pastor assured  them  they
    could.  "What  if they don't have any socks?"  Again, the  pastor
    reassured  them.  "That's good," said the boy, "because my  socks
    don't  match,  and my little brother hasn't  any."  That  morning
    those  boys came to church and were warmly welcomed.  Since  then
    the church has helped the entire family.

    Just  as  the gospel is open to everyone,  everyone  should  feel
    welcome  in  our  churches.  Wealthy and poor,  child  and  aged,
    police  officer  and  ex-con, handicapped  and  athlete  are  all
    objects of Christ's love.  They are all potential members of  His
    body.  May there be no barriers in our churches nor in our hearts
    toward anyone!

    Author:  David C. Egner

                  Lord, may some weary souls find rest
                    Because Your people took them in
                 And helped them see the love of Christ
                  That frees us from our guilt and sin.
                                  --DJD

    THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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    Poor is the church that values programs more than people.

    THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  James 3-5

          
          

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