Church ~30 Days of Thanksgiving day 20

The Greek “ekklesia”, is literally translated to mean assembly, congregation, or a place where such gatherings occur. It is used for both “a church” (place) and “The Church” (bride of Christ).

Acts 14:27 And when there were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

There are many different congregations that go by many different names, but there is one Church. This would be the bride of Christ and anyone who is a born again believer belongs to the Bride of Christ which is his church.

I am so thankful for the church fellowship that we belong to.  The right congregation becomes family and family is, or should be supportive.

Our congregation is family. We get together to worship, to study God’s word, sometimes to serve, and sometimes just to enjoy each others company.  I am beyond thankful for each member of my church family.

When Jason and I were first married, we moved to an area where neither one of us really knew the church members very well. It was hard to leave those I knew, for a bunch of people who I only knew by their face. In fact, for a long time we got to church just in time to sit down, and then would leave as soon as it was over because I struggled so hard trying to remember names and faces.

The first time we were janitors I remember hiding in the bathroom so I didn’t have to try and remember names and make small talk. 😛  I don’t know when things changed, but I began to WANT to know the people I worshiped with each Sunday. I wanted to learn about them, and I started to care about them. It still wasn’t easy getting out of my comfort zone to learn who my brothers and sisters in Christ were, but I’m so glad I did!

I particularly like the verse that I chose for today. It talks about the church getting together; and what do they do? They rehearse, or talk about the wonderful things God has done in their lives. Isn’t that amazing? Can we ask our brothers and sister in Christ this: “what has God been doing in your life lately?”  Can you imagine how uplifting and encouraging that would be?

Think about your church fellowship today. Think about ways that they have blessed you, and thank the Lord for them.