The Withering Coal

It was the first Friday of autumn and in the Ricker household, this meant two nights of camping with dad. Julian and Thomas were allowed to invite two friends from school to join them on their annual trip at the lake with their dad. The boys were all excited about the activities Mr. Ricker had planned for them. When they arrived to the lake, they prepped the area to set up their tents. In the center of the camping space of which they had prepared, they constructed a fire pit for warmth, light, and as a heat source for food preparation. Now that the campsite was set for the trip, they grabbed their fishing equipment and set out for the lake. They returned to the site and prepared their catch by the fire. Mr. Ricker reminded Julian and Thomas’ friends that they will be dropped off at home early Sunday morning before the Ricker family attends Sunday school and church service. Julian and Thomas didn’t like the fact that their trip would be cut short to attend church. Julian, the older of the two sons, decided to ask his father about why attending church was so important in their household. Mr. Ricker was not expecting such an inquiry from his elder son. He said to Julian… “Son you kind of caught me off guard, but I’ll do my best to explain it to you. Take this fire for instance and see all that it has allowed us to do tonight. This fire is made up of burning wood that becomes hot coals. As the coals burn in unison, their amber glows with intense heat. The heat it gives occurs because the coals are in the midst of the fire with single purpose. Take this shovel son and place it into the midst of the fire. Remove one of the coals from the fire and set it aside.” Julian did as his father instructed him and removed the coal from the fire. Mr. Ricker asked him to pay close attention to the coal subsequent to its removal from the fire. Immediately the coal began to lose its radiant amber. What once burned with fury had now become a mere withering coal with no purpose. Meanwhile, the coals that remain in the fire together burned radiantly and gave light to the darkness. Mr. Ricker then said to Julian, “You see son, the destination of the fire represents the Church. When we arrive to the Church, we are mere limbs and braches cut from trees of darkness. As we, the wood, are placed together in the name of the Heavenly Father, He gifts us with his presence and ignites us with the Holy Spirit. We become like coals that feed upon the fire (i.e. spirit) of the other coals that burn with a single purpose. When we praise God together, we are blessed with burning amber that serves as a beacon of light to the withering coals that individually dwell in darkness.

Brethren, we are blessed with the gift of one another and an opportunity to offer praise to our Heavenly Father on one accord. As Christians, we are instructed to gather in the name of the Father. I want to share three Bible verses with you this morning: Hebrew 10:25 reads, “25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Mathew 18:20 reads, “20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I in their midst." Colossians 3:16 reads, “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Church is a place of rejuvenation; a place where we, together, can rekindle one another’s flame. There are 168 hours in a week. That being said, is it too much to ask that we give GOD 1-3 of those hours? Perhaps we should consider our attendance in the house of GOD when we seek GOD’s attendance in our personal affairs. Friends and family, without the assembly of the saints, we become the withering coal.

My prayer for you today:

"Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us so many brethren in Christ. Lord give us a will to honor your commands and gather amongst one another in praise of your Holy name O Lord. We seek your presence in all that we do, and ask your gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell among us. We love you Father and ask that you bless our assembly. In the name of your son Jesus, Amen…"

May this message bless you all….

By: C.D. McCloud