What are the keys to intimacy with God ? How can we have the closest possible and most intimate fellowship with God ? And oneness and unity with Him ? And a
J.W. Phillips
It is unfortunately common for church leaders to base their promotion of small groups on Acts 2:42, which says: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.”The small group idea popular today is further reinforced in verse 46, which says...
In Jeremiah 2:2 God says “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert” Jeremiah 3:14 – God speaks to His people after they had left Him: “Return, faithless people, declares the Lord, for I am your husband.” In Jeremiah 3:20: “But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to Me.” We Are God’s First Love We are God’s 1st love, and He wants to be our 1st love and have an intimate personal relationship with us. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. Our relationship with God will not be very good if we are not as committed to Him as He is to us Keys to Intimacy With God – #2 – Love Deuteronomy 6:5 says “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 1 Timothy 1:12-14 “I thank Christ Jesus our LORD, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
J.W. Phillips
It is commonly assumed by church leaders and church members alike that small groups and biblical fellowship are the same. They are not.When the church started promoting small groups instead of biblical fellowship, that allowed a seismic shift in thinking that has hurt the church.Politicians do this kind of thinking,...
J.W. Phillips
None of us wants to submit—so we don't. We say we do by advertising our small groups as a place where we hold each other accountable. But in most churches, if submitting occurs at all, it is rare, not regular; tardy, not timely; partial, not thorough, selective, not widespread; oriented...
J.W. Phillips
Getting together for social events is fine, but the way we assume that fellowship is likely to occur is not fine. We elasticize the definition of fellowship too much if we link it to food, fun, and festivity. Just getting people together assures nothing—except perhaps a higher calorie count!The Babylon...
J.W. Phillips
Some people live semi-opaque lives, deciding to tough it out and go it alone when facing the challenges of life that confront them. This is not what God recommends. Do you recall our Lord’s words to those on the scene when Lazarus came out of that tomb— “loose him and...
J.W. Phillips
To share in your group effectively requires prior preparation; we shouldn't just show up and trust God to do something. Yes, he will help us, but that help can be, and should be given, before the group convenes. Consider each step of the process that will better engage his help.There...
Daisy Dronen
Written for the Story Teller Farm blog The Table of Connection A season of sabbath led to the unexpected gift of finding myself as a member of a beautiful confessional community. A confessional com…
As I write this, I’m working on a manuscript chapter on being devoted to the fellowship, one of four basic devotions we read about in Acts 2:42. In that context, the disciples were devoted to one another, and part of that devotion involved something called fellowship. Fellowship, κοινωνία (koinonia), goes well beyond “hanging out” together…
Read 2 Peter 1:3-15. Peter wrote these words like his last will and testament. He knew he was going to die soon and wanted all believers to know, understand ...
Hannah
Are you moving to a new place? Starting afresh, you are likely ticking off items on your to-do list: a place to stay, maybe a job. And perhaps, for many Christians, a church, a community of believers where you can find fellowship and connection.If you are good at socializing, no...
Ray Oster
🎵 In the world of Contemporary Christian Music, Michael Encarnacion emerges as a rising independent artist with his latest release, "He'll Work Things Out," featured on the album 'Perfect Love.' Released on 11/03/2023, this soul-stirring anthem is now available on all major online distribution stores for streaming, promising listeners a...
Kathleen Orenza
In today's world, the digital age shapes almost everything we do. From how we communicate with friends to how we manage our daily tasks, technology plays a huge role. Now, let's turn our focus to something a bit different: Christian worship and fellowship. The digital age is transforming these age-old...
The following is an excerpt from a talk I recently gave at the Gathering, an annual conference by Artists in Christian Testimony (ACT), International, in the Nashville area. As their first keynote …
How Can Your Church Do More For Its Congregation? Here are some fantastic ways to involve & include & encourage your churchgoers.
Hannah
In daily life, amidst the hustle and bustle, the thought of attending church may seem like just another item on your to-do list. However, reflect the essence of gathering, the power of shared faith, and the communal heartbeat that resonates within the walls of a church. A church is not...
Pastor Lonnie C. CroweAs Christians, many of us have become so caught up in whether or not or how we should or shouldn’t celebrate Halloween that we have either forgotten or have never learned what is important about and worthy of celebration on October 31.On Oct 31, 1517, Martin Luther (then a Catholic...
Iran: ‘I plant secret house churches because I was saved into one’ Share good news – Share this and any page freely. Over 100,000 views of these blogs annually. Share this link on you…
By Elizabeth Prata I waited two years for this conference. That’s 730 days. It was over in a heartbeat, just 2 and a half days. That’s just 0.34% of the time of the last 2 years. But it…