Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tuesday's Unwrapped




We shared a beautiful night of community with our church family on Sunday night.  We started out by carolling and then our pastor and his wife invited us all to their home for games and refreshments.  We had a blast!  As I've thought back on the evening I wondered if that is what the New Testament church in Acts was like.  And that's where I want to pick up this Tuesday unwrapped... 

'All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.'  Acts 2:44-47

They were in essence a community.  And of course, you know me, I looked up the definition of community and this is what I found:

Community:  a unified body of individuals or a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society.


Isn't that what we (as well as the Acts church) are as Christians?  A community.  A unified group.  All loving the Lord and looking forward to our heavenly home.  All working together towared the goal of furthering His kingdom for eternity.  I am so thankful for my church community and for others I call part of my community.  I think He meant for us to function together as a whole not as each one doing his/her own thing.  Together we can get something done.  Together we can make change happen in our larger community.  Together we can show others in our community the love of Christ.

Are you thankful for the community that God has placed you in?  Are you involved in it?  If not, step out and make an effort to be a functioning part.  It can make all the difference in your life...and maybe in someone else's also.  Happy Tuesday!

5 comments:

Kelli said...

I love this picture of the early church in Acts. Unfortunately, it seems some churches today are full of folks who are more concerned with church size and best programs rather than how they can help one another. My church family is the glue that sticks it all together. Having Jesus in common brings me closer to people I wouldnt otherwise be close too!;)Great post!

Unknown said...

I'm so thankful for the community of believers in my church. We are a family, and I believe that's the way God wants it to be. We need each other; we weren't meant to do this on our own.
Thanks for this reminder.

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

Allison, I've been very Blessed by the community that God's built up around my family. We feel truly loved, and it's an amazing witness to His Love for us all. Thank you for this reminder, and have a Blessed Day!

Jenifer Metzger said...

I have a wonderful community of believers that I am thankful to be a part of. God has truly blessed me. Thank you for this post.

Heidi said...

I don't think I became a part of my church community until I got involved in it. You can go to church and not be a part of the family. I was there for 7 years before I finally felt like part of the family and it was my holding back not lack of opportunity. I'm so grateful that I finally made that leap a few years ago because He's blessed me so much! Thank you Allison!