Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NIV)

The mornings are dawning colder and I have needed to wear gloves the last few days when I go down to feed the livestock. This morning, even in my gloves, my fingers grew cold quickly. Time for the mitts I thought.

This episode reminded me of today’s verse, and the importance of meeting together with other believers on a regular basis. Gloves separate our fingers which is why they get colder faster, then when we wear mitts, which allow the fingers to be together and share their warmth.

The Christian who separates themselves, or for whatever reason, becomes separated from other believers has a much harder time of things spiritually. Their zeal for the Lord and His service wane and discouragement often sets in due to a lack of encouragement from their brothers and sisters in the Lord.

I know this first hand, for I live in an area where finding fellowship with other believers is not always easy. Perhaps you do to. The Lord has shown me however, how to *not give up meeting together* with His people. Here are some of the suggestions He has placed in my mind over the years: ” Find a good worship service on television or on-line and be faithful in meeting with your chosen media congregation. Soon you will actually feel that you are part of that Body of Christ, for indeed you are, especially if you tithe, pray for them and keep pace with their on-line sites.

” Stay in contact, weekly by phone or email, texting or blogging with Christian friends or family.

” Start an over-the-phone Bible Study. My sister and I did this every Tuesday, last winter and it was a marvelous time of fellowship.

” Email your thanks and thoughts to the daily devotional writers of whichever on-line devotional sites you may follow. It will be amazing, how over time, you become email buddies with some of these Christians. My Presbycan Daily email buddies are people whom I now cherish and look forward to *fellowshipping* with.

” Skype or engage in Face Time with other Christians, as there is nothing like actually being face to face with other believers in regards to finding encouragement in the Lord.

” When traveling take and make the time to find a Church to worship with on Sunday and stay for coffee time in order to really meet and enjoy your fellow believers.

So today, if you are in a position where you have become separated from your fellow believers for one reason or another, make it a point to rectify the situation as quickly as possible, by either following some of the above suggestions or by asking God to reveal to you, how best to begin meeting together with other Christians once again.

After all, remember that the Lord never sent His disciples out alone. He sent them two by two, as He knows how important it is for the encouragement and growth of our faith and encouragement in Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You that in Your wisdom You have called us to fellowship together and You have provided many different ways in which we can do so, depending upon our situation. Bless those today who may be separated from their fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord, with the encouragement and means to rectify the situation. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C