RETURN OF DRIFTING SAINTS: Blessed Assembly, Jesus’ Design
The theme for this week’s Devotional is Return of Drifting Saints. Prior to Covid the American Church saw a drop in attendance. Post Covid and the pandemic has kept a sizeable number of saints away from church. Our Devotional team shares testimonies and encouragement from God’s Word to stir up the return of love and good works.

SCRIPTURE: “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24, 25 (CSB)
Who hasn’t heard the example of fireplace embers which have, for one reason or another, gotten separated from the other logs on the hearth? Their glow is short-lived because of their distance from other logs with which it once shared a common function—i.e., “edification” of the fire, you could call it. For Christ-followers this “fire,” which requires DAILY stoking—not just on Sundays—can be likened to an earnest pursuit of Christlikeness in our thoughts and attitudes, by regularly studying and obeying His word, and purposing to grow in our love toward one another. (2 Peter 3:18; Jn. 14:34) We can all too easily grow cold and lose our fervor for Christ and those in our local fellowship when we put church attendance on the back burner of life.
By now we’ve all heard the arguments (and jokes, too) about worshiping at “Bedside Baptist,” or about the soul that habitually forsakes assembling with other Christ-followers, expressing their preference for worshiping in God’s “nature sanctuary,”[the great outdoors], or by simply being a “good person,” etc.; but these reasons for avoiding in-house assembly are not at all supported in God’s Word. While we know that the church building itself is not the actual church, but that it is defined as the body of believers who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ ALONE, the words of twentieth century theologian Dwight L. Moody state it well:
“Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for ordaining the church as an essential pathway for our regular discipling in this sinful world through regular fellowship with like-minded believers—“iron sharpening iron,” helping one another to grow up to the full stature of Christ Jesus. May we not neglect this blessed privilege. Thank You, Lord, for loving us so fervently! AMEN!
Written By Denise Diggs
By now we’ve all heard the arguments (and jokes, too) about worshiping at “Bedside Baptist,” or about the soul that habitually forsakes assembling with other Christ-followers, expressing their preference for worshiping in God’s “nature sanctuary,”[the great outdoors], or by simply being a “good person,” etc.; but these reasons for avoiding in-house assembly are not at all supported in God’s Word. While we know that the church building itself is not the actual church, but that it is defined as the body of believers who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ ALONE, the words of twentieth century theologian Dwight L. Moody state it well:
“Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for ordaining the church as an essential pathway for our regular discipling in this sinful world through regular fellowship with like-minded believers—“iron sharpening iron,” helping one another to grow up to the full stature of Christ Jesus. May we not neglect this blessed privilege. Thank You, Lord, for loving us so fervently! AMEN!
Written By Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
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7 Comments
Amen sister Denise!! An encouraging and convicting devotional!!🙏
Amen🙏🏽 So beautifully stated Sis. Denise. Since COVID's softening,we have come to appreciate being in the Lord's presence with other saints. It is such a blessing to gather together in the name of Jesus.
Blessings for an encouraging reminder of God's desire for HIS church!
AMEN!!! Sister Diggs, this is a well stated message to us who remain steadfast in Christ's Word. We can't grow and produce a field of corn, unless each stalk grows up next to one another, and is nourished by the same soil. If there is a substantial distance between each seed, then the produce develops stunted, undeveloped or produce nothing at all. Thanks for this inspiring devotional.
Amen Sister Denise! Praise God very compelling Devotional..
Amen 🙌🏽
Oh the fellowship, spiritual gifts, ministries , ‘one another mindsets that are not operating to its fullest. Lord please move on the hearts of Your people who are called by Your name. Thanks for this encouragement.