Journal Entry:
November 30, 2003
“Good day of worship and fellowship. Quiet afternoon. ‘I love You, Lord!’”
Simple but meaningful
entry. I want to concentrate on two
words. First:
Worship:
“The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.”
Anything
people place first in their lives is what they worship. Unfortunately even many who claim to be
Christian allow the things of this world to displace God as the object of their
worship. We make the created to be more
sacred than the Creator. I think
everyone is guilty of this at one time or another. We allow a spouse, a child, a celebrity, sports,
a job, fame, money, a pet, a possession, and I could go on and on, to become a
sacred thing in our lives and hearts. We
give our time, talents, and money to that thing. It consumes us. The problem is none of those idols can
satisfy. That’s why so many turn to
addictions to satisfy that deep longing that only God can fill. I must be open to His presence and leading in
my life. That’s why it’s so important to
stay connected to Him through prayer, scripture, and worship with a body of believers
also known as the church.
This
leads to my second word:
Fellowship:
“The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms.”
This is the
world’s definition of fellowship.
However, Christian fellowship is much deeper. The word Koinonia is used in the New
Testament to describe the fellowship that should be present among those who
follow Jesus Christ.
Koinonia: “A Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible.
Koinonia’s primary meaning is ‘fellowship, sharing in common, communion.’ The
first occurrence of Koinonia is Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves
to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and
to prayer.” Christian fellowship is a key aspect of the Christian life.
Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That
is the essence of Koinonia.”
Worship
of God and Christian fellowship do not just happen. It’s not the preacher’s or the teacher’s, or
anyone else’s responsibility to cause me to worship. I must prepare my heart, soul, and mind by spending
time with God in prayer and in His word.
Fellowship occurs when I open myself to God’s leading and love. If I go to church with an attitude of what’s
in it for me or with the expectation that everything that is done from
teaching, to music, to the sermon is all about me I am not worshipping as Jesus
said I must.
It’s
not about me; it’s about Him! When I am
worshipping in spirit and in truth my countenance will reveal it to those
around me and hopefully will be an encouragement to them. I’m thankful for the people who have done
this for me over the years. This Sunday I
wrote about 13 years ago was a gift from my heavenly Father as have been so many
in the years before and since. The
worship and fellowship have given me tiny glimpses of what an eternity in
heaven will be like. I can’t wait!
Father,
I am
so grateful for the privilege of worship and fellowship with my sisters and
brothers in Christ.
Open
hearts to Your presence to be true worshipers as Jesus Himself described.
In Jesus’
Name,
Amen