Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

Acts 2:42 NIV
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

What are you devoted to today?  This question always gives me pause.  Time is purposeful and valuable when we are devoted to something or someone.  Does your fast-paced day need frequent reset like mine does to keep priorities in check? My daily calendar tells a lot about my life, but so do the moments that aren’t penciled in.  How is that time spent?  Does this time speak of my devotion to Jesus too?  

Devotion to anything requires focus and intentionality and often affects the choices we make.  Acts 2 tells of the early church and their devotion to Jesus Christ and togetherness.  As a family they learned God’s Word, remembered what Jesus had done for them, prayed together, and also just enjoyed spending time together. Jesus was at work in these early followers, and he is alive and active in us as well.  Reset.

Rhythms of today’s culture and calendar look different than that of the early church in some ways, but the gift of togetherness in many ways has stayed the same. Our focus and purpose are still strengthened when we experience fellowship. As the Body of Christ we are one, and because we are one we are stronger individually.  Every single day Christ is working in and through each one of us. Reset.

As we open our Bibles together, we learn and grow.  As we open up and share pieces of our life, we learn and grow.  As we serve together, we learn and grow.  But there is another amazing piece to the gift of togetherness. As the early church devoted themselves to Christ, the world looked on. Reset.

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  (Acts 2:46-47)

Because of the gospel message lived out by the early church, many more became followers of Christ.  Daily, empty hearts were filled with the hope that only Jesus can fill.  One by one, the enemy was defeated as the body of Christ grew and lives were changed.  The lost and hurting world is still watching and listening to us today. We can’t let our sincere heart and joy grow callous or complacent. Reset.    

Will we share the gift of togetherness with the world around us today? Mission can be as simple as a kind word, as intentional as a warm meal, and as sacrificial as letting go of the things we want to grip.  What are you devoted to today?  What is one way you can make the gift of togetherness a priority this week? 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for the gift of togetherness.  For the gift of friendship and family in the body of believers.  Holy Spirit fill me with your power and bold courage to love all people.  Teach me how to relate to Christians and non-Christians everywhere I go today with a sincere heart devoted to you Jesus.  Lord, add many more to the number of those being saved in my community and around the globe.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK
1 Samuel 12:24:
24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.