From Beside the Still Waters...
"I know they works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou ... hast borne, and hast patience, and for my names sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." - Revelation 2:2-3
Recently at our church we had the funeral of an elderly sister who left a wonderful testimony for Jesus. Before dying she had spoken of her desire to meet her Saviour. The day before the funeral, some church ladies had planned to serve a meal to the family in the church basement, but on arrival they discovered the basement partially flooded due to a leaking water fountain.
A call for help went out, and soon more help arrived than was needed. The thought came to me: My beloved people, the church. How could I survive without them.
My beloved people are a great consolation in physical affliction. Even better than the physical benefits are the spiritual benefits. "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). When we need sound advice, where do we go? To trained experts in psychology, or to faithful men of God who are led by the Holy Spirit? I choose men among my beloved people.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints" (Ephesians 4:11-12). No individual is wise enough to have all the answers to life's questions. Neither can one person by himself keep all the New Testament commandments. Let's take delight in belonging to God's people, with the same spirit that Paul expressed in Philippians 4:1: "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."
Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH
I love Thy church, O God, Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye, And graven on Thy hand.
-Timothy Dwight
Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.
Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
I love old churches! :)