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Here’s an excerpt:

Day 4
God never meant the Christian life to be lived on an island.

To Read
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

To Consider
Ask the average individual, “What is your deepest misery?” Many would answer in one word, “loneliness.” Suicide notes have been left by people that basically said, “I am extremely lonely.”

On the human level, Christians have two words that answer the problem of loneliness – “each other.” Why do we need each other? One reason the Bible gives is so we can shoulder one another’s troubles and triumphs. After using the analogy of the human body and the phrase, “that the members should have the same care for one another,” Paul continues, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; and if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” Such companionship is so real that as you are going through trouble, you don’t feel like you are going through it alone. And when you are honored, you feel somebody else is excited with you. The burden seems half the weight and the triumph is twice as exciting.

Non-Christians are attracted to that kind of togetherness. They recognize it as something they have missed out on. Loneliness has permeated their lives and try as they do, nothing fills the gaps. It’s no wonder that the book of Acts records an incident of believers so caring for one another during times of persecution that they sold their possessions and distributed to those in need. The end result was they were “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The believers understood a basic truth. God never meant the Christian life to be lived on an island.

To Illustrate
A man had a dream one night in which every person at a great banquet had his or her right arm in a cast. They couldn’t feed themselves and hence became greatly frustrated. But they soon figured out how to do it. Each one extended his arm to the person on the other side and fed that individual. They lived through feeding one another. Loneliness would have enhanced the problem. Togetherness solved it.

To Meditate
When it comes to the body of Christ, the thought ought never be, “I can handle it myself,” but instead, “We can handle it together.”

To Pray
Ask God to use your gifts and abilities to contribute to the growth and unity of a local body of believers. Ask Him to show you ways this week that you can contribute to that spirit of togetherness.

Well, all churches are not created the same…click here for the place to visit in Washington, oh, wait, Washington, DC! Better stop here first, then you will be fortified for visits to the Smithsonian and the top row of the Senate chamber–by far the best show in town!

You can find the National Community Church at four (yes - 4) locations! Union Station, Georgetown, Ballston Common Mall, and Ebenezer’s Coffee House (best, best, best coffee house…).

Can’t go to Washington? Get a webcast. Get a podcast. Read Mark Batterson’s blog. Get a Senatorial appointment so you can afford to live around there! Oh, wait, you should get hazardous duty pay for that… Get a job mowing the White House lawn — much safer!

They will even let an old hag like me in that place, but I would need to have a little work done first.

During my lifetime, Christ’s church has been transformed by the expansion of technology, a significant change in worldview called “postmodernism,” and a revolution led by those who have moved the Church out of the building and into the world in a new and wonderful way. (more…)

The study shows that now a majority of adults feel comfortable with other “biblically legitimate” methods of faith expression. This agrees with my observation (through reading and study) that people are increasingly creating a mosaic of spiritual encounters and disciplines formed from alternative methods of worship, devotion, prayer, and community. (more…)

People can make a decision that takes them to heaven if they’ve heard the gospel clearly and simply. The ones who’ve heard from someone they trust and like are most likely to really listen. On the other hand, when we hear statistics like “only 30% of the people in the US go to church,” we wonder where the 70% will get their spiritual information! (more…)