Christian Fellowship

Several years ago I travelled to China on business. I went a couple of days early, to sight see and  to adjust to the time change.

A Temple of the Forbidden City

 

For two days I walked the streets of Beijing. I did not take a taxi because I was not able to express my desires to the driver. The major streets had smaller English signs under the Mandarin signs, but the smaller streets may have just as well been unmarked. I got lost a couple of times, but eventually came to a larger street where I could get my bearings and carry on.

 

My efforts were rewarded with visits to Tianamen Square, the Forbidden City, Silk Alley and other places. I was excited at what I had seen, yet I was lonely because there was nobody to share my experiences with.

 

It was good to get to the office and carry on business. Most people spoke English and it was refreshing to have a conversation. I needed to interact with somebody, anybody!

 

Today’s reading is Acts 2:41-47. The church was in its infancy. The believers enjoyed each other’s company, dining with each other and studying the Apostle’s teaching. They even pooled their resources so that the needy were on an equal financial footing with the well to do, so to speak.

 

Most of the believers had jobs in the Pagan world. They interacted with many unbelievers for most of the day. It must have been very refreshing for them to enjoy the fellowship of other believers when  not at work.

 

Our needs today are no different than those believers of the early church. We work throughout the week in an unbelieving world. We take our children to various activities, many outside the church, perhaps. We need the fellowship of other believers. Without it, we can feel a bit like I did in China. Alone, we have nobody to share our spiritual experiences with.

 

Christian fellowship is part of a balanced spiritual life.

 

Happy New Year!

Jeremiah 31:15;Matthew 2:16

I can't even begin to imagine the horror parents of the little boys, back in the time of Jesus' birth, must have experienced. It is hurtful just to read the account, much less experience it. We love our children so much that just the thought they might be hurt is unthinkable.

The verse for today tells of such a time and such a heartache.  The king felt threatened by the birth of a baby.  Can you image being afraid of an infant?  He was afraid because he believed the scriptures which foretold of a child who would be come king.  This is so confusing because if he believed that much why did he not believe it all?

Verse 15 is troublesome and painful to read, but read on... The rest of the story has a happy ending.  Jesus is coming and coming soon.  For Believers, the rest of this story has a happy ending as well.

Jeremiah 31:15-17Again, God's Message:

"Listen to this! Laments coming out of Ramah,
wild and bitter weeping.
It's Rachel weeping for her children,
Rachel refusing all solace.
Her children are gone,
gone—long gone into exile."
But God says, "Stop your incessant weeping,
hold back your tears.
Collect wages from your grief work." God's Decree.
"They'll be coming back home!
There's hope for your children." God's Decree.

Build Up Our Communities Acts 2:40-47

Peter warned and pleaded with the people of Israel. “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation!” How many years ago was that? That sounds like the same message we’re hearing today. Are we living in a corrupt and indecent generation again, or still? All these years and we haven’t figured out how to fix it? Weren’t we given another chance to start over when the floods came? Why do we keep gravitating toward evil? If God is so strong and mighty, why does it seem satan is winning? Why are we believers the minority? WHY IS THIS SO HARD?! I have lots more questions than answers!

A majority of this scripture comes under the heading of The Fellowship of the Believers. It appears that if we belong to a safe little church community, we can get together, be baptized, do good things for others, praise God, and in turn enjoy everlasting life in his favor. That’s pretty comfortable, but ignorant don’t you think? Oh yes, I’d prefer to dream about how I am doing all the right things here on earth and will one day hear those humbling words. “Well done good and faithful servant,” but something tells me it’s going to take more than simply being part of a fellowship of believers.

My church offers many small groups, ministries, and serving opportunities around the world that are very organized and well executed. I love that about the church, because my brain is not always systematic—you can verify that with my husband. However, this may not be for everyone. I am not comfortable in large overly organized systems, so simply take direction from the message painted above the foyer as I exit the sanctuary each Sabbath. It reads, “You are now entering the mission fields.” I do believe that all the world is a mission field. Whether organized or not, we are called to minister to, and be an example for others. Perhaps it’s a neighbor, co-worker, or even your child’s “friend” who you would prefer had not entered into your life at all. Stepping outside of our fellowship circle may not be comfortable, but it can make a difference in this world, one heart at a time.

Read the Acts 2:40-47 text here.