Life Together in Christian Community 10-21-10

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your name is the name above every name. Be high and lifted up in my heart and throughout my day. … “Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute their proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together at the temple, they broke bread from house to house and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (Acts 2:43-47). You’ve designed Christian life to be life lived together in a community of faith, spending “much time together” in worship and at home. And just as when a husband and wife are joined so that the two become one, yet they still maintain their own identities, while forming a new identity at the same, we have a new identity in Christian community, even as we maintain our own identity. And just as when healthy families freely give and support one another in their broader family as any has need, while continuing to maintain their unique identity and provision for their immediate families, so we are to live in our Christian family. That kind of community knows nothing of isolation or loneliness, suffering in silence, competition or greed. And while that kind of community comes with its own issues and struggles, You use even those to strengthen one another in the journey of spiritual maturity and self-sacrificing agape love. That’s the kind of community that grows day by day, with goodwill and favor in the city, and where You move in power in the hearts and lives of Your people, revealing Your glory to those You are drawing into Your community of faith. Last night, we joined the home gathering in a town outside Oxford, England, where our team is staying for a few nights while we minister here. It was the weekly gathering of their “pastorate,” where their Anglican Church in Oxford shares life together in small groups “from house to house,” breaking bread together, worshipping with one another and praying for one another, providing for each other as any has need, and serving their community as You lead. Their church is one of the places where Your Spirit is on the move and the community of Christian faith is growing in a land under spiritual siege. It was so good to encourage and be encouraged by one another’s testimonies of Your power and provision in our lives, while praying for our current needs and the needs of those You placed on our hearts. Thank You for this humble and powerful example and inspiration of living life in Christian community in any culture. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, please cover us on our Encounter Wales! ministry trip this month. We're in Oxford, England for a few days with prayer leaders in this area and where I'll be preaching at a community-wide gathering Friday night before returning to Wales. This is a historic city with deep Christian roots in the lives of the great revivalists George Whitefield, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, as well as Christian authors C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien among many others. Thank you for joining with us in prayer and ministry! God bless you! Subscribe for free by email to me at Messiah Ministries: MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org To order my books and our ministry resources or contribute to our ministry on-line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Messiah Ministries; 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 God bless you!