Passage of the Day:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved, Acts 2:42-47.
Reflection:
While I was raised within the Roman Catholic Church, most of the teaching I learned was based upon religious practices. The concept of meeting with likeminded Christians wasn’t introduced to me until I joined a Methodist youth group in high school. During my final two years of high school, some of these teenagers became like a second family to me. Just meeting on Sundays wasn’t enough for me so I joined an accountability group and started a Bible Study. While I was still young in my faith, these experiences shaped and strengthen my faith journey.
Prayerful Action:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching, Hebrews 10:23-25.
Retracing Your Steps:
When I was an infant Christian as a teenager, I once asked, “why can’t I just attend church on Sunday? Isn’t that enough?” As a shy boy, afraid that stuttering would embarrass me, I kept to myself. Yet, when I witnessed how happy and joyful the Christians who attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bible Study, I wanted what they had. I wasn’t sure what it was, but a spiritual hunger grew deep inside my heart. When I finally attended, I began to understand of importance of Luke’s words in Acts 2. While I did have some stuttering fits along the way, meeting with other Christians energized my soul. Don’t be like me for years by keeping to myself. Seek out a small group so you can experience the pleasure of meeting with Christ-minded believers.
Song of the Day:
My wife Leanne and I waited for over a year before finally finding a church. A few weeks later we joined a weekly small group that has helped us stay connected socially and spiritually. If you feel alone, seize this day so that tonight you’ll experience the joy of meeting with fellow Christians.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 