Tomorrow morning women from different churches in my Middle Eastern city are going to gather together. Instead of sleeping in on Saturday, they’re going to get up and go downtown to celebrate our fellowship in Christ.
When you serve breakfast to sixty sisters, there’s going to be some chaos and spilt tea, but it will be glorious. Each of these women is a light in a city where few people have received the light of Christ. And when we come together, when we start hugging and kissing and sharing, our lights shine brighter.
Every Thursday I go to a different gathering: men and women gathered together around a simple meal and God’s word. We call it family night because God has grafted us together. Some Thursdays we’re a crowd, and we make the food stretch a bit more. Other times we’re 3 or 4 people, but it doesn’t matter because whether we’re many or few, we always have an unseen visitor: Jesus.
We can’t see Jesus when we’re gathered together, but we can feel His presence.
When we come together as believers, we feel His touch.
We hear His voice when we read His Word together or when a brother or speaks a word of encouragement.
We feel His power when a sister grasps our hand and whispers a prayer over us.
When we gather together in worship, we see Him more clearly.
When we gather together, our faith is encouraged.
When we gather together, our lights shine more brightly.
Now it’s your turn: Do you have regular opportunities to meet together with other believers? How many people do you meet with? What encourages you the most?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday. Writers all around the world join in a flash mob of free writing. Five minutes. No editing. This week’s prompt is “Gather.” Join us over at Kate’s place for fun and encouragement. Also linking up with Susan B. Mead’s #DanceWithJesus and Barbie Swihart’s Weekend Brew.
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No real opportunity here, except through blogs and email…I’m pretty well property-bound by illness, and we have 25 dogs (we have a sanctuary for abused Pit Bulls) so visits are rare.
But the closer I get to dying, the better I get along with God. Mostly. He hangs out here. I talk to Him like I talk to one of the dogs.
Sometimes he feels the sharp edge of my military Tourette’s, but I figure that He hung out with tax enforcers and fishermen, so He doesn’t mind that.
Not a bad way to live, or to die. Whatever. It’s OK.
Blogs and email are a great way to gather with others, especially if you’re property bound. Sounds to me like you have lots of critter company gathered around you too. May God’s grace abound to you today, Andrew. Thanks for stopping by.
What a wonderful way to gather with others! I love that feeling of Jesus I get when I’m in a community of believers too. Have fun at your gathering tomorrow!
Thanks! I will! (Trusting that the joys will be greater than the stresses since I’m one of the organizers!)
Betsy I have been so blessed to have wonderful sisters in Christ to gather with – in my home, at our church. And amazingly blessed by the on-line community I have the privilege to gather with!
I pray Jesus always shows up at out gatherings, and that all glory is be given to Him.
Thank you for your inspiring post #fmf friend, Blessings.
Amen, Jana! It is a blessing to meet together as sisters. (And our on-line community is one way to do it!)
Betsy, as an introvert (and a shy one at that) sometimes I’m tempted to want to go it alone. But I’ve found all the reasons you listed for why we’re better together to be true! Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Oh, I know what you mean, Tarissa. Sometimes I think, “Oh, I really don’t feel like doing this.” But then I always enjoy the gathering. Always glad I went or glad I invited someone over.
Love your post (and any blog with a teapot, tea cup and tea flowing from one to the other is an instant hit with me!)……loved your take on the word…..I’m slowly beginning to overcome my INFJ tendencies and seek gatherings of people…..it’s a powerful thing, a like-minded group of individuals…..{An FMF friend}
Thanks for stopping by from FMF! I love a group too. (And I’m an extrovert whose introvert tendencies seem to be increasing!)
I am so grateful for the many ways God gives me opportunities to gather with brothers and sisters in Christ. It brings such joy to my heart and refreshes me in many ways. Blessings to you, Betsy. xoxo
Thanks for being here and “gathering” with me today, Beth. Continued blessings on your break!
What encourages me the most?
Seeing the piety and deep devotion of others all around me in church. It is so uplifting and inspiring when I’m surrounded by people offering their love and themselves to God.
It’s exactly as you say: When we gather together in worship, we see Him more clearly.
When we gather together, our faith is encouraged.
So glad you have a community that inspires and uplifts you, Deborah. I know you need that. We all do!
Betsy,
I’m usually not good in very large gatherings, so a small intimate group is where I feel most comfortable, but thank you for the reminder that even if 2 or more are gathered – there Jesus will be also. I enjoy my Bible study time with 8 women, but what I enjoy most of all is one on one. Either way, I know that Jesus is going to show up.
Thanks and blessings,
Bev
I love doing one on one studies and meetings, too Bev. Just met with a younger sister today, and we were both blessed by being together! That’s wonderful that you have a Bible study with 8 women! Beautiful.
Betsy, I’m a bit envious of your gathering with the ladies there. It sounds divine. I do gather each week with my Bible study sisters, and it is a time of blessing and studying the Word. God bless you as you shine the light of J in that land. Stopping in from #FMFparty.
That’s funny Leah! I almost envy your a weekly Bible study with women! I miss that regular fellowship with a group of gals, but God doesn’t have that in my life right now although I meet with several different sisters one on one from time to time!
Yes-when we gather together our lights shine! Gathering together in communion with God is always such a blessing and one that in turn blesses others. Beautiful post! Have a blessed weekend!
You have a good weekend too, Mary. Thanks for being here today.
There is power and holiness in togetherness in God’s name. 🙂
Keep yourself surrounded by great people. Happy weekend!
Thanks Lux!
I love that we used the same verse. Loved this >> “When we gather together, our faith is encouraged.” And that is so true no matter where we gather. My faith has been so encouraged thanks to online groups as well. We are blessed for sure!
Online friends have blessed me as well, Joanne, although I’ve never joined a book or Bible study group. Maybe in the future! I’ll check your post later to see what you take on t his verse was! 🙂
Amen! Gatherings–Jesus loved them and they fill a deep longing within us for connection and community.
Yes, they do Anita!
I’ve come to love time with my sisters (and brothers) in Christ. As someone who doesn’t love big gatherings, I do love getting together with my extended ‘family’ and love how God works through us.
Me too. I love getting together with my physical extended family too. 🙂
How true! When we gather together our light shine brighter! Reminds me of my Christmas tree – the more lights the brighter! Love that we can gather together and shine the light of Jesus!
Thanks for shining your light bright on the internet, Ellen. I appreciate you so much.
I’m just going to beg to differ on one of your points…that we can’t see Jesus when we gather together. You are right that we can’t see His physical presence. But when we’re gathered with sisters, we can definitely see Jesus all over them! Hope you had a wonderful time at your breakfast…sounds like so much fun!
We did have a wonderful time. And you’re right, I could definitely see Jesus all over them!
Excellent post regarding the importance of gathering with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Unfortunately, many people have chosen to forsake their assembly while there’s tremendous power when we gather to worship God. The point is that if you come with a clear disposition to be blessed in such gathering, it’s guaranteed that you’ll never come out the same.
How I love spending time with my brothers and sisters in Christ! Thank you for this reminder that Jesus is right there with us when we gather together. The Lord is continually speaking to my heart about reaching out beyond my spiritual family and welcoming in those who don’t know Him and those I don’t know. And when we do this, Jesus is right there with us as well. So thankful He never leaves us and walks this life right by our side! You are a bright light shining in this dark world, Betsy. You’re an inspiration. May God richly bless you and your family. xoxo
So thankful that you all had such a wonderful time! I’ve been known to get a little stressed out when it comes to planning women’s events:) Your posts here show how to have the right perspective in the midst of the chaos.