Title: Christians Alive And Well / Topic: Loving Fellowship

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Observation: This verse is vibrant! I see this group of believers that Paul is talking to and they are so alive as the "word of Christ" is alive among them. They are excited and interacting with one another -- contending with one another by teaching and having spirited debates correcting each other (that's what the word admonish means). These people are spiritually intimate with one another. The word has a prominent place in their lives and in their interaction -- it dwells among them richly. And there is music -- melodies of praise and worship fill their conversations and gatherings as they gratefully share of the goodness of God in song.

Application: I long to be a part of such a close group of believers. I see most Christians today retreating away from fellowship into their own worlds -- as our homes become more and more focused on entertainment and amusement. Many Christians don't seem to show a love for sharing their lives in deep, committed, accountable relationships like Paul describes here. I would like to be part of reversing the trend toward the isolated Christian where I live.

Prayer: Lord help us to get back to loving one another deeply -- from the heart. Lord, we are being seduced by a world of electronic entertainments that suck us in and captivate our attention, robbing our time until we have little or nothing left to give to our brothers and sisters. Help us to see that if we don't have the word dwelling among us richly, then I will not have the word living in me richly if at all. Your life must be shared to be fully experienced. Help your people to love one another and give their lives to and for one another.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.