Francis of Assisi: Fellowship Matters

September 9

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly, you are doing the impossible.” ~ Francis of Assisi

Fellowship sucks until you find yourself in the midst of wonderful people, and you suddenly understand what a blessing you nearly missed out on! I’m not a fellowship guy by nature – at least I don’t think so. But didn’t God create us to fellowship? It’s in our nature to want, need and desire fellowship. God was the one who looked down and said “It’s not good for man to be alone.” In fact, I believe God created us not just TO fellowship but He created man out of His own desire to fellowship as well. We are created in His imagine and given that He put in us a great deal of His own nature, fellowship is something we all crave and… need.

What do we gain from fellowship? Shared struggles and triumphs. Prayers are exchanged, encouragement’s offered and wisdom shared. To resist these things is to yield to the selfish nature that comes with the original sin nature we also are born with.   Funny how fulfilling fellowship is once I’ve been apart of it. Yes… it can be draining. Yes… it IS time-consuming. And yes… it is also a needed and wonderful way to find yourself being blessed and encouraged in ways not previously imagined. The Lord loves fellowship… and I should, too. Peace, Sean Gutteridge

Today’s Scripture:

Psalm 27:1

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Proverbs 21:1-2

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.

D. L. Moody: The Beauty of Community

August 7

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do.” 

~ D. L. Moody

God loves community. I mean, He LOVES seeing His people in community. Seeing us come together to pray, to praise; seeing us worship together, celebrate together, weep together and all in His Name. So capable are we of doing great things in Christ, but what I can do with other believers would blow my mind…

There is tremendous power when believers gather together in God’s Name: problems can be solved, missions created and great projects of renovation and renewal take place. This gathering can be found in homes and small groups, in churches and even in business meetings at lunch hours during any given week. The rich and the poor alike share a common identity found within the same savior and when this begins to happen, the growing throng and masses emerge with one single, united ideal and mission: to know God better by gathering together in His name in the hope and knowledge that He will speak to them collectively AND individually… whether to have hearts mended or lives redirected or whatever the case may ultimately be… because these gathering believers in God’s Name have found a singular commonality: to hear the Will of The Lord and celebrate Him together – as one Body of believers. Celebrating God’s goodness together, in the midst of our Joys, our sufferings; our trials and our testimonies… THAT is the essence of fellowship and community. This Glorifies God and He enjoys it immensely.

Peace, Sean Gutteridge.

 

Today’s Scripture: Acts 2:46-47 (Community in the Body)

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.