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In towns and cities everywhere, there are groups of people who regularly get together for no reason other than to enjoy each others’ company. Perhaps after a happenstance meeting, they have known each other for years. Or maybe they have some common experience in their past that forever bonds them together. Regardless of how they first met, they enjoy weekly or daily visits with no purpose except to spend time together.
There is a group like this where my parents live. Each morning, without fail, they gather around 8:00 am to share a cup of coffee and their favorite donuts. It is not that they have a donut addiction, although the donuts at this specific shop are delicious confections, but they start each morning with embellished stories and multiple rounds of laughter. They even give “The Story of the Year” awards for the most embellished story! They never comment to remind each other of the “same time tomorrow,” they just show up. When my parents are planning their day, the gathering is included by the statement “Have to go to donuts at 8:00” and is a priority before all other errands.
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Other groups meet in coffee houses, waffle shops, and pancake restaurants. As a visitor to a new town, you quickly notice the regulars as a large group at the back table who greet each one as they enter the establishment. These are the meetings where the town news is spread like melted butter on a hot biscuit.
What is it that draws us together in such a way? As it turns out, it is in our nature as humans and more importantly as Christians. Think about Jesus and His disciples. They supported each other in everything. They traveled together, ate together, preached together, found new believers, and established new churches together. Paul wrote to the new believers in Thessalonia instructing them to meet together and support each other. In Christianity, this is referred to as fellowship.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Fellowship includes having relationships with individuals who have common beliefs and values. It also means helping each other when problems arise. This group can offer advice on complicated family problems, or simple problems like moving a piece of equipment or finding a local service provider to help with chores around the house. One thing is certain, these individuals are there for each other and count on each other when needs arise.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works Hebrews 10:24
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind 1 Peter 3:8
So in good times and bad, Christians join together to hold each other up, provide for each others’ needs, and share precious time. We love one another following the example Jesus set for us. For anyone who questions whether there is time in the day to meet with a group such as this, remember the commandment Jesus gave us.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you John 15:12
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