The Strength In Community

Good Morning Everyone,

Everything that was written in the past was written
to teach us. The Scriptures give us patience and
encouragement so that we can have hope. And I pray
that God will help you all agree with each other the way
Jesus wants.
Romans 15:4-5

This verse struck me this morning, as such a wake up
call for everyone, including myself, who often deals
with fear, or trepidation, or concern about what is
happening in the world around us. I hear many feel
that way.

Let me tell you what I see happening to people around the world.

1. They are going to church less.
This isolation creates a loneliness that can be overwhelming.
Any excuse that keeps you out of church denies you the fellowship,
strengthening power of a community seeking God, and loving
each other. As the world gets worse, this is more than
a necessity, it is vital, it is emergency, it is a must!
A Christian has to have like fellowship, good teaching,
encouragement and the accountability of a church.

2. People are becoming less friendly with each other.
Families are torn apart for many reasons. Sometimes by
distance, sometimes by anger. Friends are too busy for
friends anymore. This creates a sense of insecurity,
and isolation which leads to despair.

3. People are neglecting their spiritual life.
They either don't have time, or don't take it serious enough.
They somehow think listening to a preacher or priest,
or bishop is enough. It is not! It teaches us, but we
have to be in the word of God ourselves, it offers hope.
Something we need daily, not just on Sundays!
We are merely surface Christians, religious at best,
but lost at the worst. Not seeking God, but only
being religious enough to feel like we have done our duty.

4. People are forgetting to encourage one another.
They are so worn down from their own problems,
busy life, hurts, afraid of relationships, they have
forgotten the art of encouragement. They have
forgotten the great need to be encouraging.
Someone today needs your input and love!
Are you too busy?

5. People have forgotten how to work together.
It is every man for himself. MY opinion is better than yours.
If you think different from me you cannot be my friend.
How can we be a community of believers if we cannot
get along with each other because of petty thinking?
Who will do God's work if we cannot as a community join
together to accomplish greater things through the strength
of combined effort?

I am struck by this. Did Jesus teach any of this?
NOOOOOOOOO. So, why are we doing it? Are we not
his followers? Doesn't that imply following Him, and what
He taught?

I think a refresher course in what Jesus taught is a good
goal for everyone. Open the book of Matthew and read
the first few chapters tonite, and let those words sink in.
Underline the meaningful ones, and think upon it. There is
so much wisdom within those chapters, that it takes a lifetime
to absorb it all.

It is a needful thing. My precious friends, I know many of
you are in a rut. We all are in some form, but I desire,
and long to see you come out from among the world,
live a life Christ called you to, and be faithful to Him.
IN word, in deed, in faithfulness to a church, and in
faithfulness to others.

WE have to be about our Father's business. If we do not,
the world that is your little corner, will not hear the
gospel from you or see it in you. This is a huge responsibility.
Who will be lost without Christ, because we were not
faithful? Who will go without encouragement because
we were too busy? Who will not be sharpened in the word
of God because we took time to speak it and thus both
of us grow in Christ?

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has
a great reward! You must hold on, so you can do what God wants
and receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36

Pray today, ask God to help you get right with Him. And
promise Him whatever door He opens for you to be of
service, that you will go through that door and be faithful.

love always
millie

copyright Millie Plastaras 12/03/07