^‘And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.’  Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Over the summer months this year we have had our after service teas as an opportunity to fellowship together whilst the organisations are off for the summer break. Due to how popular these have been they are carrying on throughout September. Through conversations and thinking on these times together I was reminded of the importance of Christian fellowship and how vital it is to our lives as believers. We are not called to be believers in Christ in isolation but instead we are called to meet together regularly as we wait on the return of our Lord and Saviour. In our own day when so much rests on being an individual, of being able to manage by ourselves and of our identity being distinct we see that as believers we find our strength on being in Christ and doing life together with His people. It allows us to share in the ups and downs of life together, to stir one another to love and do good works as the passage above tells us. We are able to encourage one another in running the race that is set before us in this life and there are times that we all need a little help or can be a help to others. The notion of being a Christian but not wanting to be with God’s people is an idea alien to the teachings of the scripture and those that try this will soon see the pitfalls. Hearing what the Lord is doing in others can lift our week and as we display the bonds of love that bind us as we meet what we learn together can help others. It may seem like simply a cup of tea after the service but it is so much more in the light of what we read above. It is another opportunity to meet together, so that relationships amongst believers mature and deepen and do not remain simply superficial. We give thanks for these times together and look forward to each of the organisations beginning again. We pray that each time of meeting together would be a blessing and would bless others in the days ahead. ‘Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…’

Every blessing

Gordon