If there was ever a time when we need to encourage each other in the Kingdom, it's now! More than ever before I've become aware of the pain in churches all over, and the lives of others near and far, many falling away. God intended fellow followers of Jesus to huddle and fellowship (koinonia share in common) together regularly and often. We have been mightily resourced by our Heavenly Father to live here on planet earth and He never intended for us to do it alone! Reciprocal living (all of the "one anothers") so beautifully seen in the New Testament, enables us to go the extra mile and helps us to be radiant overcomers and manifest the glorious image of Jesus in all things. Your spiritual survival depends on it.
We live in evil days and it is important that we utilize all that God has provided. The Church, the Bride of Christ, the Body, plays a huge role in our growth and development and I believe helps assure our arriving at God's intended destiny for us.
Hebrews 10:24, 35, 36 says we ought to "see how we can best arouse others to love and good works, not staying away from"huddling" together, as some do, but rather encouraging one another all the more because you see the Day drawing near.... Don't throw away your confidence...for you need endurance."
They tell me that the biggest trees in the world are the redwoods of California. They are the tallest, oldest and most enduring trees anywhere. What's their secret? Well...You never see a redwood standing alone. Never! They are always in clusters, groups or groves. The might of one tree is not in itself. It is in the intertwisting of ones roots with all the groping roots of the other redwoods; centuries of "fellowshipping" roots woven with one another. There is no way one could fall down. It is held up by the strength of its brothers and sisters. (This paragraph adapted from "Easy Doesn't Do It" by Derric Johnson)
So, how far will you grow, what will you accomplish and what difficulties will you face? God says you'll do your best huddling with the Family of God. I think He's right! I'll be looking for you Sunday.
Mitch
