MINISTRY UPDATE - click below for this weeks “The Mount Weekly”
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The church was “all in.” Just as God was “all in” for the church, so the church is “all in” for him and for each other. There was a serious devotion in the church for the teachings of God, for the fellowship of God’s people, for the togetherness in eating and raying. They shared faith, life and food. They were together daily at the temple and in their homes. They did not compartmentalize their Christianity to a day of the week or a corner on the street; their faith and the faith life consumed and filled every part of their lives and that was a good thing. “They were enjoying the favor of all the people.”
And, if I speak only for myself, I can say that is my challenge as I walk through life. I want to compartmentalize my Christianity. I practice my Christianity on a Sunday morning or in a Bible study. I practice my devotion to God’s Word when I study it, but then I get up and walk away into a different part of life. I practice my togetherness with God’s people over a cup of coffee. I practice my prayerfulness with God’s people when we’re together. But then I go on with life. It’s not that I stop being a Christian, but I shift that which I am devoted to in other moments of my life.
But not these Christians, at least, not during this snapshot of the Church that Luke gives us. Their life and their faith and their fellowship and the devotion to all of it flowed into every part of their lives. It happened at church and in their homes. It happened every day. They did not compartmentalize their lives. This was their life. All the time. In every place. Look back and read this short section again and notice the “all” and the “everyone” and the “everyday.” This was their life. I want to be more like that. I want to have more of that, especially in these days when I am kept from the regular, in-person getting together of God’s people. I want this, don’t you!?!
So, what can you do about it, right now? Let me share a couple of ideas. Pick up the phone and call someone just to check-in. While you’re at it, pray with them. While you’re at it, share a Bible verse or a Bible truth with them. Or, what if you picked up a pad of paper and wrote them a personal note with a Scriptural encouragement? What if you were really intentional about caring for your neighbors? At least where I am in the US, we’re not really supposed to go beyond our block, but what if we checked-in on our neighbors and cared about them? We’re are prohibited from some things, but not from all things.
It’s time for us the church to rise up and be “all in” for the God who is “all in” in for us. It’s time for us to rise up and increase our devotion to his Word. It’s time for us the church to rise up and be “all in” for the community, the body, of which we are an integral part. God help us do this more and more.
Prayer
Lord God, in your great mercy, you have joined me to yourself and to your body. You have joined me to a body of believers. I am not alone in faith or in life. I am united to you and to every believer of all times and in every place. I forget that. I tend to isolate myself. I leave my fellowship and connectedness to other believers at church. I leave behind my devotion to God’s Word when I put my Bible away after devotions. Sadly, I am not as devoted to you as deeply as I ought be. Forgive me. Forgive me and raise up in me a desire to rise up in my devotion to your Word. Make your Word — the study of it and the meditation upon it — such a vital part of my daily life that I never stop thinking on it even after I walk away from my study. Make your people, the community of believers such a constant part of my daily life that I am always thinking of, praying for, and actively caring about them even when we are apart. You have joined me to something bigger than me. Help me to devote myself to you and to every other believer who is part of your body. Amen.