I have a friend who has spent most of his life with people who live on society’s margins: People experiencing poverty or homelessness, those who wrestle with addictions or simply exist outside the mainstream, anyone who might be considered an outcast. “That’s where I seem to fit,” my friend says. “On the edges.” He helps believers in Jesus learn how to be in true friendship with those who are different. “This kind of friendship isn’t as complicated as we like to make it,” my friend insists. “Often it’s as simple as knowing someone’s name and how they like their coffee.”
This wisdom reflects the early stories of the church, when people of varied nations and languages found themselves swept into God’s story. We often consider the Pentecost miracle to be the moment when everyone heard the apostles speaking “in [their] own native language.” But perhaps the true miracle was the way people who were at odds (Jews and Greeks, Medes and Egyptians) were gathered into the same community and worshiped the same God (Acts 2:8).
God’s new community encompassed all kinds of people who emerged from the provocative action of His Spirit and the simple obedience of His people. The description couldn’t be more ordinary: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). In other words, they received God’s wisdom together. They ate together. And they prayed together.
The rhythm was plain: They “met in homes . . . and shared their meals” (Acts 2:46). If you don’t know where to begin to participate in God’s work, consider simple friendship around a simple table.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 1:26-56
More:
Read Acts 2:36-41. What provided the foundation of the church’s new community? What story? What truths?
Next:
When have you experienced grace because of the simple hospitality or friendship shown to you? Is there someone to whom you could offer this type of kindness this week? What will you do?
Gary Shultz on June 7, 2016 at 6:12 am
Winn, I do believe that is where we must start, to once again show love to one another. To join in the simple fellowship that Christ asked us to do, to be a witness by the love we share. Sometimes you can’t wait until God drops someone on your door step you must plan to meet their need(s). I do honestly believe if you make yourself available, if you seek what God would have you do, He will deliver a plan. It could be leading a small group and if there is no group to welcome those not in the conventional walk of life, design one to fit them. If it is something God would have you to do He will make the way, give Him the time. Thanks Winn
Winn Collier on June 7, 2016 at 11:32 am
yes, it’s the right place to start…
wtrguy on June 7, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Maybe it’s different for others, maybe someone might chime in if I am offensive. Please forgive me.
Jesus seemed to be very interested in the little people. He took notice of the poor lady depositing her only coin in the church treasury. Called it the greatest gift? He had no place to lay his head. He ignored many of the silly pious rules of the religious right in His day. He hung out with the ratted on, spat upon, sat upon dregs of society. He provided a perfect team when He returned to the Father, interceding for us at this very moment. Praying for us, right now! Unimaginable Love!
To make provisions for anyone in need, no matter what, no matter the inconvenience, no matter the cost, will be the most valuable activity that a Christian can be called upon to do. His rewards are immediate and everlasting.
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
samgaskill on June 7, 2016 at 7:12 am
Todays devotional fits in nicely with my reading today of John 17:20-23 “I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one; I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”………. Jesus provided us a perfect picture of the church community. That we enjoy fellowship as “equals”, as one, without regard to class, race, occupation, intellect and especially without judgment. How can this be? Only through God’s Spirit living in us. Bring us fresh opportunity Lord to break bread together in Your name, to enjoy a genuine fellowship with one another that we may feast on Your goodness and outwardly manifest Your love inside us. John 13:35 also reveals the Father’s heart for His children; that the watching world would see Him in us. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Blessings to this dear forum family. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to gathering around the family table with all of you! Until then, may our tables be open to all who are in need of physical food, spiritual food, or to receive the healing balm of love and acceptance. with love, Mary
godlove on June 7, 2016 at 11:35 am
Amen, Mary. It is as simple as sharing, isn’t it? He teaches us a very simple way to identify as His disciples, by loving (and sharing with) one another.
cragland on June 7, 2016 at 9:27 am
I am so thankful for the times that my eyes were open to the simple things that God placed in front of me. Simple things as in giving a hug, a smile, or a ride to someone who needed it. I ask God to give me open eyes open ears and open heart and willing hands and feet that i may do the simple things that he has for me to do.
samgaskill on June 7, 2016 at 9:34 am
Amen my friend!! Me too!! That we would be keenly aware of the downtrodden and hurting!! See with eyes of compassion and respond with kindness. Necessary fruits that must be grown and cultivated in us, becoming ripened and matured that we may avail much to the kingdom of God!
Winn Collier on June 7, 2016 at 11:31 am
I think that’s about all it takes – an open heart, willing hands…
daughterdeb on June 7, 2016 at 11:22 am
Years ago I met a young man who was passing out cards for a church he and a few friends were trying to start. He had what many would call a “troubled past” but had been redeemed through Christ. The problem he and his friends were having was not being welcomed home by Christ but being accepted into the family by other believers at the various churches they had attended. It is heartbreaking how so many rank other Christians into categories based on their lives while professing their belief in redemption only through the blood of our Savior. May God bless your friend for his efforts, they are much needed. And bless you as well, for this reminder.
godlove on June 7, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Winn, I very deeply admire the fellowship displayed by the early believers. In my daily life, I always feel so blessed when someone (unknown or known) shows me kindness and/or sharing. Knowing how I feel when I am the receiver, I do my best, whenever I can, to give some of it too, with the hope of making someone else feel the same. You can never overestimate what a smile, a helping hand or just a few nice words can do for someone’s day. Thanks for this reminder.
samgaskill on June 7, 2016 at 1:12 pm
We long for this fellowship, don’t we? I think we’d all agree that we “get” more than we “give” everytime!! When my husband did some traveling over the winter we had occasion to meet and spend a bit of time with a couple of homeless folks. A few months later, my memories of our trip are already fading but not the memories I have with these lovely men I hope to meet again in Heaven. The time off the beaten path, spent with strangers who became friends are priceless. I too am blessed by this reminder today : )
Mike Wittmer on June 7, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Love this challenge. Our world is full of lonely people, waiting for someone to make the first move. Why not us?
Marlena Graves on June 7, 2016 at 8:10 pm
I really appreciate this piece, Winn. What if we actually loved our neighbors all around us? What if the rich and poor could gather around tables all of the time? How different would the Church be? Thank you.
hsnpoor on June 8, 2016 at 2:22 am
How different? Very, Marlena. I got saved in a 400 member Black, Baptist church when I was 37-years old. Before I joined that church, I visited a few; one of which caught my attention and even though I didn’t join, at that time, I continued to visit. It was also a Traditionally Black church, but it had recent.y split and the 34 members left, had a big vision to reach the very unchurched area in which we lived (San Francisco Bay Area). God provided a very gifted Pastor and 20-years later that church had grown from 34 to about 6000 members. I joined that church when I was 46, truly being lead by the Holy Spirit because I was perfectly happy & comfortable at my Black Baptist church, until God’s Spirit very clearly spoke to my spirit and told me he hadn’t saved me to be comfortable. By this time, this church was multi-ethnic, multi-socio-economic, multi-everything and about 4000 members strong & growing, which scared me a little. But, the fellowship and spiritual growth I experienced (and continue to experience, even though the church split twice in a 5-year period between 2009 and 2014—long, sad story) is something I know I could have never experienced at my segregated place of worship. Don’t get me wrong, though. I never cut the ties with my Baptist church and, in fact, still attend Sunday School there every Sunday before going to services at my church home. But the simple truth is the richness of worshipping, being involved in life groups, praising and doing ministry in a multi-ethnic environment absolutely ruins you for the possibility of re-entering the environment of segregated worship. The lessons learned under the umbrella of Christ are invaluable and somehow unique & accelerated in that environment. And, as Martha Stewart is fond of saying: “that’s a good thing”! Didn’t mean to go on so long, but I miss GAgirl today, so thought I would try to fill the gap….:). Blessings to all!