Day 11 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com “Forsake not the Fellowship.”
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet (fellowship) 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
I led worship at church for many years. There was one song that was special to me and the congregation that we only sang a few times a year:
| What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! |
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| Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. |
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| O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! O how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! |
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| What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! I have peace complete with my Lord so near, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! |
When that song began to play the membership knew what to do. Immediately and with very little coaxing, starting with the pastor, everyone began to go around the church “shaking hands, and hugging necks” as we say down here. Guests were not aware of the custom so they were easy to identify by the roving regulars. Those times are still special to me.
Churches often allow time before service for fellowship, foyers have a coffee shop feel. That allows a nice time to visit with old friends. But there is just something about fellowshipping within the service that makes us more like a family. It shows visitors that we actually like each other.
To me it is like Christmas morning. God the Father gets to see his children love on each other unlike they may do otherwise throughout the year. I as a father enjoy seeing my girls hug one another and say, “I love you sister.” I fear they do not do that often outside of the holidays. As they get older and mature they will I know, I’ve been there and done that with my own sister. Young, immature members of the family of God are just the same. We can show them by example what they can and should aspire to, fellowship.
Webster’s dictionary defines fellowship as, “friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interests.” True fellowship within a body of believers occurs as we become not just family, but friends. Why shouldn’t we be both, we share the greatest thing in common, a loving Father.
What a fellowship, what a JOY divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a PEACE is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Those that come into your church are looking for JOY and PEACE. Sincere fellowship shows them were it can be found, in the EVERLASTING ARMS of our Savior. Be those arms to them as you “SHAKE A HAND, and HUG A NECK” today at church.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to (FELLOWSHIP 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
Your fellow-fellowshipper,
Billy