DAILY READING
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
DEVOTION / REFLECTION
A Portrait of Devotion
By Karen Burkhart
Today's Bible reading paints a beautiful portrait of the first century Church. Oh, how I would have loved to have been there sharing in their devotion to the Word of God, true fellowship, and prayer, and witnessing the daily addition of new believers. Clearly, the Lord was at work among them, unifying them, and giving them favor with everyone. It doesn't get any better than that!
I'll admit that when I consider the Church in America today, and even the little Church that lives at my address, I can't help but see a less attractive picture. Don't get me wrong--the picture can look pretty good on Sundays, especially if there's a potluck after the service. But what about the rest of the week? There's no shortage of devotion, that's for sure; but sadly, in our home that devotion often is not directed toward the One who matters most. Could it be that the difference between us and first century believers is that we've lost our first love for Christ, or worse--never really loved Him? Or could it be that we've pulled ourselves away from the fire of Christian community and that's why our love has grown cold?
One might argue it was easier to live a life fully devoted to Christ in the first century than it is today. Under the constant threat of persecution, there was no social advantage to being a Christian. Early Christians counted the cost of discipleship and were willing to die for Christ which made their faith more robust. Constant opposition moved them to keep close-at-hand the lifelines of the Apostles' teaching, each other, and prayer. I would love for Christian devotion to increase without opposition or suffering, but I suspect for many of us, those are often the pushes we need to set our priorities straight. Though my flesh hates to suffer, I'm thankful that God has graciously given me enough to keep me clutching Him.
Today, if you reflect on the scene in Acts 2 and it feels a little foreign, let me encourage you: you don't need to wait for things in your life to heat up before reconnecting with the Lord and His community. Take the wisdom from the letter to the Church at Ephesus who had lost their first love: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first (Revelation 2:5)." Isn't it interesting that the prescription for a love that's grown cold is to do things--well, not just any things--the right things?
I know it feels risky to return to Christian fellowship if you've stepped away for a while, but I promise it'll be worth it--not just to you but to the entire Body of Christ and the watching world. We were made to live in community with each other and fulfill the purposes of God side-by-side.
PRAYER PRACTICE
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for making us for relationship with You and one another. Thank you for the gift of true Christian fellowship that keeps us loving you and moving forward in the mission you left us with. Please reveal to me ways I may have pulled away from Your Body and how it may be affecting my devotion to You. Help me to move beyond superficial relationships with other believers so that we can experience true Christian fellowship.
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