Daily Devotions

Today I want to share with you a devotional entitled: “The Importance of Fellowship,” from “Daily In The Word” by Dr. Paul Chappell.
Acts 2:46-47 read, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and beaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
The early church had a powerful impact on those around them. Not everyone believed the gospel message, but everyone was aware that the Christians were fervent in their belief. Everywhere they went, they made a difference. One of the keys to their enormous impact was the time they spent together. Before they made an influence on the world around them, they made a difference on each other. They built up and strengthened their faith through fellowship. Though they did not have church facilities as we do, they met together in both public places and private homes, spending time in spiritual activities and even meals.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. He attaches far more importance to godly intercourse than we do. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation.” One of the tools Satan uses to discourage fellowship is the threat of persecution and opposition.
When the writer of Hebrews addressed the topic of fellowship, he wrote, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). What were the signs of “the day approaching”? Trouble. Jesus told the disciples that they would endure opposition because of their devotion to Him, and it is the same for us. But when those hard times come, some are tempted to withdraw from other believers.
In the past weeks, we’ve seen special challenges to fellowship through the social distancing necessary because of the COVID-19 virus. Yet, even through this pandemic, we can build each other up by reaching out – even if just through a text or phone call. It is during the hard times when we most need to build each other us in the faith.
The more difficult our circumstances become, the more important Christian fellowship is. So take heart my friend, as we begin a new week continuing in the pandemic situation remember the importance of fellowship. Give someone a call, text, card, letter, etc. this week and strengthen your fellowship and faith.