"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.." (Acts 2:46).
The saying that no man is an island very much applies to all believers in Christ. For when Paul wrote, "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), it certainly must have been occasioned after an incident. There were a number of believers who perhaps self content with their faith were shying away from regular meetings.
But the Christian faith cannot be lived in isolation. When we fellowship with others we are inspired in faith. For a tree to grow it needs to be watered; this is exactly what fellowship does with believers watering each other. "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13).
Meeting with believers on a regular basis also enables us to share prayer requests. Jesus said, "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them" (Mathew 18:20). Certainly God does listen to our prayers as individuals; but just as Moses had to rely on Aaron and Hur to lift up his hands in battle (Exodus 17), we are too all encouraged to co-opt others as we seek God's favour.
Fellowship with others also serves a psychological and social need. At the height of Covid 19 due to lockdown mental health cases rose. It was largely because of isolation. Yet when Christians meet they share personal needs unlike isolated people who have it all bottled up. "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". (Gal 6:2). No wonder none believers often eye at us with a secret envy.
So, have you fallen into that bad habit of skipping regular fellowship! Don't allow the devil deceive you that you are too busy or whatever. For, you have no idea what you are missing! Pick up yourself and find a regular fellowship to get you going.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy to fellowship regularly with fellow believers in Christ, to hear their testimonies and share prayer needs in the great faith of walking with you, and this I thank you in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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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!
