Nougat 10

Sometimes this journey feels more like a bane than a blessing. However, With the right partners it could be different. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“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

Coming together jointly has marvelous merits. It is a reminder that we are not alone; that we have access to collective wisdom, that we are accountable to each other, and that we have support. All thanks to God for these assurances.

We may recall our elder brother Elijah as the man who faced down Queen Jezebel and her husband King Ahab in 1 Kings 17. In that very dramatic and prophetic moment, we were witness to the fearless man of God, who stood firm on his beliefs and did not waver. We might even recall that a bounty was placed on his life partly in response to the spiritual coup he had effected. Word of a bounty on our lives is reason enough to be nervous and Elijah was scared.

What was unexpected, was Elijah’s complaint that God left him to call out the leadership alone and that no one was with him in the struggle. I maintain that his feelings of abandonment were amplified by the nature of the ministry; for 1 Kings 19 states otherwise. Regular assembly with the other prophets (instead of the hermit-like lifestyle that he maintained) might have assured Elijah that he was not alone.

In Acts 2 and James 5, we are reminded-advised of the benefits of being in fellowship with the saints. Acts 2 speaks to the emergence of a self-supportive community that many long for in these times:

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything …. 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 2:44-46‬ ‭NLT)‬‬

That is the kind of community God desires for us believers. And it is achievable. The directive in James underscores this.

“Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” ‭‭(James‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

This is also the message of Psalm 133, which describes the assembling of the saints refreshing, blessed, as well as good and pleasant. I agree that it does not always seem to be the case, but it is also a call for us to make it so. We must be intentional, committed and prayerful. I pray God’s blessings on us as we move forward in our walk together in the full assurance that we are not alone; we have access to collective wisdom in Christ Jesus by the power of God’s Spirit.

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May all we seek be found in Christ