Today I will be with my local church family again–I have been away on missionary travels for the last three weeks. I have enjoyed the time with hundreds of brothers and sisters in Ecuador and Colombia, but I have missed my time with the local church family, and I am anticipating the joy and celebration of our shared precious faith today, looking forward to greeting dearly loved helpers in the Lord. Sundays are always special for me–perhaps because of 40+ years of filling the pulpit almost every Sunday, but the habits developed across the years are for me a source of stability and anticipation, almost always up early, meditating, praying, preparing mind and heart.
How special is the fellowship we share! I had a brief taste of what I can expect last Wednesday as I greeting brothers and sisters in Christ and taught a Bible class. I am thrilled with the opportunity to teach a Bible class this quarter–the early letters of Paul, understanding the gospel that looks backward and forward.
I hope you have a special church family that grounds you and strengthens you, encourages you and uplifts you, edifies you and brings you closer to God daily.
“Today, Father, I thank you for his work and blessing in my life. Thank you, Father, for this special family that helps keep me going spiritually!”