A Christian without community is
like a ship without a crew
I can have more strength for the storm
by:
Meeting regularly
with others
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to
acts of love and good works. 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
10:24-25 NLT
…he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John
Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. ACTS
12:12 NLT
Receiving
support from others
But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed
very earnestly for him. ACTS 12:5 NLT
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey
the law of Christ. GALATIANS 6:2 NLT
Choosing
God-focused friends
Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s
really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from
Herod and from what the Jewish leaders* had planned to do to me. When he
realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many
were gathered for prayer. ACTS 12:11-12 NLT
All the believers devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the
Lord’s Supper*), and to prayer. And all the believers met together in one place
and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions
and shared the money with those in need. 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 2:42,
44-46 NLT
Celebrating
God’s provision with others
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so
overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told
everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
“You’re out of your mind!” they said.
When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they
finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. ACTS
12:14-16 NLT
This makes for harmony among the members, so that
all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts
suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:25-26 NLT