WHAT A FELLOWSHIP!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)
The believers' common life

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

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 the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home 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.

DEVOTION

I absolutely love today’s GOOD NEWS message! My favorite phrase is, “awe came upon everyone…”

Isn’t it exciting to think about the fact that when the Christian Church gets things right, we can bring awe and wonder into the lives of non-believers?

What is it that inspires this awe? It is our love for God and for each other! It is the way we fellowship and have fun together! It is our loving care and compassion for the least of these amongst us! It is our “glad and generous hearts” that stand in stark contrast to the “doom and gloom” motif that is so common in our world.

Oh! How I wish all of us could “have all things in common” once again! How I pray for The Body of Christ to become so full of the Holy Spirit that we share God’s light, love, joy, peace, hope for the future, and an attitude of gratitude with everyone we meet!

Won’t it be a grand day when all of our non-Christian friends look into our churches, and around our communities, and see God’s church folks “praising God and having the goodwill of all the people?”

I believe, by faith, that with the help of God, the church in 2009 can look like the Acts 2 church! But, in order for us to do so, we must make up our minds to follow the example of the early believers.

So, what did they do? Well, they taught the GOOD NEWS, spent time together, served the poor and needy, gave of their time, talent, and treasure, celebrated the Lord’s Supper, and prayed to, praised, and loved God with all of their hearts, both at home and in their place of worship!
My friends, this is the prescription for creating a church that will draw non-Christians to Christ!

As we live the Bible in service to others, sharing the love of God with everyone we meet, and declaring Christ’s death and resurrection until he comes again, God promises us that people will come running asking, “What must I do to be saved?”

The last verse of today’s scripture reads, “And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

Praise the Lord! I love to see souls saved every day! Don’t you?

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!

What can you do to bring more love, joy, and peace into your community of faith?

Holy God, I am so inspired by the love and faith that I see in the Acts 2 church! Please help me to do all that I can to help my faith community reflect this type of love, joy, and peace in our community and in our world. Please use us to love souls to Christ, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" found at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

We are celebrating with the 11 people who have recently put all their hope in Jesus! Happy Re-birthday!

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Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com