Your Daily Devotional for February 13, 2006

February 13, 2006

 

The Encouragement of God’s People

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

 

Acts 2:41-42

 

I truly believe that God intends for the gathering together at church to be a time of fellowship, bearing each other’s burdens, prayer, and just encouraging one another. Everyone needs an encouraging word at times. Anyone can stand around talking about sports, movies, or the weather but I’m thankful for the real fellowship that takes place in God’s house.

 

A surefire sign that you’re fading away from a close walk with the Lord is when you feel awkward at church. My friend, church ought to be the most comfortable place for a child of God to be. Getting around God’s people and being an encourager to others is what we see practiced in the book of Acts, and when we’re at work or on that long commute, we should long for the encouragement of God’s people.  It is a little slice of Heaven here on this earth.

 

An old preacher had a member in his church who was always moping around with a downtrodden look on her face. He would often ask this dear lady how she was doing, to which she would always reply, “Pretty good…under the circumstances.”  One day he shocked her as he replied, “Well, what are you doing under there?” 

 

If we’re not careful, we can let the circumstances of everyday life drag us down. I love the story of David and his men holed up in the cave of Adullam while the Philistine army occupies Bethlehem. David expresses his desire for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. No sooner does this request leave his lips than three of his famed mighty men fight their way through the host to retrieve him a cup of water. That’s the encouragement of God’s people.

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