“and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” - Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV).
One of the most difficult things during the strict Covid 19 lockdown was prohibition of physical meeting. The Apostle Paul may not have imagined a time where churches were locked off premises as a measure to ward off a killer virus. There are many believers who struggled with that and for a number of worthy reasons.
Physical meeting do enable us share concerns with each other, for Paul writes, “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (11 Cor 11:28-29). This is why when believers meet each other in fellowship they, among others, share their prayer needs and pray for each other. “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Mathew 18:20). Meeting each other also provides an opportunity to share testimonies that inspire others in the Lord’s work. I Chronicles 16:8 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”
Of course, physical meetings can also be distracted by busy bodies who rather than stay focused on the Lord, use such as an opportunity to engage in idle talk. This is why Paul expressed concern for believers in Thessalonica, “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down ..” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12). Without being on guard so often Satan uses meetings to cause dissension that derail the steady progress of the Lord’s work.
These days of course, with advancement in technology, fellowship may not necessarily be physical as the means are there to communicate still at a distance. There are sensible tools around that allow us meet virtually, which is good. However, there is still room and purpose for meeting physically, which every believer should take advantage of once the opportunity presents itself.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and blessing to meet with the brethren, as you enable, to share needs and pray for each other, and may I take advantage of this, in Jesus name I pray.
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
