One in Spirit
I have attended many different churches in my travels and yet I have never experienced quite the blessing that I received while at a church along the Amazon River. At the end of the service at this little church, the people all stood and asked the visitors to remain seated. The rest of the congregation then raised their hands over the visitors and prayed a blessing over us. Never before have I seen a church do that.
In many churches, pastors will stand in front of the congregation and give a benediction. In this church, the entire congregation was involved in sharing a blessing that the Lord would keep us safe and look after us as we traveled the Amazon River.
Today, let us look closely at Philippians 2:1-2, which says:
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
The next time you walk through the doors of your church, seek out the visitors and extend your hand of fellowship. Make it your goal in church to encourage a brother who is struggling, show forth compassion to a sister who is hurting and be tender in all your dealings with your church family. Strive to make Christ’s joy complete by living together in unity, love and peace, not only in your congregation, but also in the extended church family of God.
Travel the Amazon River, hike through the jungles of Belize, cruise the Congo River or traverse the terrain in Vietnam by visiting www.row.org and experiencing the mission of Rivers of the World (ROW).
