9/28/14 Life Together: Forty Days of Fellowship Day 1

For the next forty days, the theme of this devotional on faith, hope, and love will be on Fellowship.  We will as always have scripture, thought, and prayer but add a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, "Life Together."  

FORTY DAYS OF FELLOWSHIP IN THE FALL- LIFE TOGETHER  9/28- 11/5  Theme: Hebrews 10:24,25

9/28- Unity in Community
10/5- Fellowship with Others
10/12- Fellowship with God
10/19- Fellowship as Ministry
10/26- Fellowship of Forgiveness
11/2- Kirkin of the Tartan- Communion of the Saints
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9/28- Sunday- (Theme: “UNITY IN COMMUNITY”- Read “Life Together Intro and Chapter 1)
Hebrews 10:24-25 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 

Bonhoeffer Quote:”The prisoner, the sick person, the Christian in exile sees in the companionship of a fellow Christian a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God…but if there is so much blessing and joy even in a single encounter of brother with brother, how inexhaustible are the riches that open up for those who by God’s will are privileged to live in the daily fellowship of life with other Christians!”

Thoughts: Fellowship is intended to stimulate us to do good and to love.  There are people who in church who inspire us by their quiet, steady, kind and godly ways.  There are also people who sharpen us as iron sharpens iron.  This passage is a clear call, encouragement, and imperative to not forsake gathering together.  Even in the early church, some “got out of the habit” of going and stayed in the “habit” of not going.  Just being together in worship of the Lord- no matter how bad the sermon, how off key the music, how irritating the announcement- just gathering is a huge encouragement in and of itself.   I believe this passage is indicating that when times are especially evil and dark it is that much more important to gather together. 
    Bonhoeffer in his book speaks of the need to be “face to face.”  He mentions Paul’s longing to see Timothy face to face (2 Tim. 1:4), and longing to see the face of believers in Thessalonia (1 Th. 3:10).  Clearly those restricted from worship by sickness, prison, persecution or exile long for the presence and we should not take that for granted. 

Prayer: Lord, stimulate me, encourage me to love you and neighbor more.  Call me out of myself to join others in the harmony of worship.