Real Christian Families Discover
Fellowship Together
Going to church meetings is much
more for the genuine Christian than a religious exercise.
We do not gather with other Christians merely so that we can say
we did. There may be odd times when that is the case, but
it should never be the usual habit. We meet with other
Christian believers so that each of us can impart to others what
God has given us to share.
The active and living relationship
with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, is a vital and growing
experience. Our minds are challenged and transformed by
the Word of God in Scripture as we read it each day, and
meditate on it along the way. Our prayers are times of
opening our hearts to the Lord, sharing with Him our concerns
and hopes and worries, and receiving from Him comfort, hope and
understanding. As we face the difficulties that each day
brings, we are taught by God. We learn how to rightly
apply the words of God in Scripture, and we become witnesses of
His great love and faithfulness.
God teaches us many things, and He
teaches us every day. The Lord Jesus knows how to use the
most ordinary events and circumstances to reveal to us the most
extraordinary truths of God. The Holy Spirit never ceases
its work of revealing Christ in the life of a true believer, a
real follower of Jesus Christ. A day becomes a bushel
basket, filled to overflowing with God's blessings — even while
we repeatedly face the most trying circumstances.
By the time we gather again with
other Christians to share, pray and worship, we are all
overflowing with the bits and pieces of heavenly treasure that
God has been showering on us during the week. And as we
begin sharing together, suddenly we are amazed all over again at
how our bits fit together with the stories and lessons and
examples shared by others. God works His grace in us by
giving each believer a part of the whole, and when we join all
the parts together in Christian fellowship, something greater
and more wonderful than any of us could have anticipated is
given to all. In this way Christ ministers to the whole
congregation by the power of His own Spirit at work in us.
God is glorified, and we are each one strengthened, encouraged,
blessed with joy, and better prepared to face whatever awaits us
in the days and weeks ahead.
Children will only discover this
aspect of Christian fellowship and worship as they witness it in
Mom and Dad. When the parents partake of God's goodness
through the local church, and when they lead the children in
such worship and sharing, the whole family becomes part of the
blessing, and the whole household receives the blessing as well.
Children face many battles and struggles and fears and
challenges in their young lives. How wonderful it is when
they can partake of God's rich power that is always at work in
His people as they gather in Christ's name.
©2008 GospelGifs |
