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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topics
- “The Christian journey”
- “ The Conquest of Canaan” and the
- “Lent season”.
in the previous months, now in the months of April and May, considering that
post resurrection of Christ (one of our concluding themes’ you would remember
in the meditations of March, was Resurrection), birth of the Church was a
landmark event in Biblical history, I want to cast the spotlight on the Book of
Acts (which records the birth and growth of the Church). This would ensure to a large
extent continuity of thought albeit under the ambit of new subject.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
April 16th
“Warm” fellowship
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”-
Acts 2:42
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Continuing to reflect on the factors that made the Early Church a
strong and a vibrant body, we come to the “fellowship factor” today.
Scriptures state that the early believers’ besides soaking in the Biblical
exposition of the Apostles, spent considerable time in fellowshipping with
each other. While participating in Holy Communion amounted to a common declaration
of faith (I Cor 11:23-26) it was constant partaking in a meal together that
further strengthened the bond already fostered by a common faith!
Just like red-hot coal pieces kept in a pile draw heat from each other,
the constant fellowship (“warming” each others’ faith in close company) ensured
that the early church as one united body was hot and glowing for its Lord!
Stressing on the need for fellowship Apostle Paul also exhorted the Early
Church “And let us not neglect our meeting together…”
Heb 10:25. What about us?
Apart from the desire to worship God, which is our primary calling, are we going
to Church with a consumerism mentality (to get something selfishly) or with an
intention of being a source of encouragement to one another? A reality check on
this issue let me assure you would do no harm to the cause of Christ!
Prayer:
Father, you have created us for warm fellowship. In our local
Church, enable us to treat each other as members of one big family. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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