"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
As human beings there are certain desires God has put in us, like the need for food and water. If that desire is not met, the body is starved of necessary nutrients for its survival. In fact, most of us would desperately look for such once we lack.
Equally important is the need for companionship. As human beings we are social creatures; whenever any of us is isolated from others something within us dies. Indeed the moment we are rejoined with others our spirits are revived. Yes, any of us can desire to be by themselves for a time, but not parmanently.
When the Apostle Paul urged believers not to ” neglect our meeting together” he was only making an obvious point. The brother or sister in Christ who has given up on meeting with the brethren is like a body denied of the basic needs for life. It is after all only through meeting and fellowshiping that our spirits are natured with believers testifying of what God is doing in their respective individual lives. Through regular fellowship believers also exercise the different gifts God has blessed each with for the edification of his church. Further, they also “encourage one another” through the sharing of their journey in Christ!
Today, as you start the week, look out for a fellowship where you will feed your spirit by hearing testimonies from other believers, for the growth of your new and abundant life in Christ.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, within us you have placed the desire to meet and fellowship, and so I pray to be in that regular habit for my own good, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
