SPIRITUAL TIES
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—” Acts 2:46, NLT
Theme: The Church isn’t limited to a weekly service; devotion to God’s Church extends throughout the week.
OUR CLOSEST FAMILY
For much of our marriage, we lived far from our blood relations. Our small family of four were alone in Wyoming, Kentucky, and Indiana. When we moved to North Carolina, we were still four hours away from our kin. Maybe that’s why the family of God became our closest relations. They were called in times of trouble, to watch our son during our daughter’s birth, or to help us move from one house to another. More importantly, they were the ones who celebrated birthdays, holidays, and major life events with. Though our biological families will be our forever families, at specific times, the family of God was much more tied into our daily lives, our needs, and our hearts.
QUALITY TIME
We made “nuisances” of ourselves at the church we joined before our first child was born. We hung around on the steps until someone invited us home or asked us to go to lunch with them. As we matured, we were the ones inviting others home for coffee or for a cell group (like our Life Groups at The Cove). We spent whole days together and talked long into the night. Even now, we try to plan around weekend services and our Life group nights, so that we miss as seldom as possible. It is so refreshing and uplifting to be with God’s people!
Our personal prayer list is a big part of each morning. We try to touch base with the people on it and remind them we are praying. The encouragement we give and receive when God answers prayers is impossible to duplicate any other way. Just a small touch by text keeps us connected and in each other’s hearts.
BENEFITS
Walking with a couple who is just ahead of you, whether in marital troubles, parenting woes, or as they excel at caring for each other—these nuggets of godly advice will bless your life! If you are single, hanging with other believers who are trying to honor God with their lifestyles of purity will support you in your spiritual journey, also. There are many benefits and very few downsides to committing to the family of God, through serving, hanging out together, worshipping with them, or praying with and for them. Even if you are hurt or offended by a fellow believer, God promises to work all things for good as you seek to follow hard after Him.
Make It Personal: In what ways are you keeping yourself isolated from the family of God? Do you feel you are missing real relationships and spiritual connections? You can take a step to reach out. Join a Life Group or a serving team. Reach out to a believing friend and go to lunch or ask how you can pray for them. Be willing to share your prayer needs, also. Let God’s Spirit draw you to Him by drawing you to His people.
Pray: Father, Thank You for making me Your child and putting me into a family. Thank You for The Cove Church Family and help me commit to them. Bring me into relationship with other believers who will guide and support me as I want to support and encourage them. Thank You for the blood of Jesus, which binds us together. In His Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 3:12-17
Weekly Memory Verse: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25, NLT