The Gathering Of The Saints
A family that chooses to love each other enjoys one another’s company, despite the differences in temperaments and opinions. A loving family seeks opportunity to be with one another. Family reunions where love is prevalent are very special occasions.

There is that deep need within all of us to belong and be part of a family. It gives us purpose and stability.

This should be the same in God’s family...  “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost…” Rom. 5:5. This love (agape) is the unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what happens.

This love will inspire us to want to be with one another and together as a family with Father God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the bond between us.

Here is an extract from a devotional that puts it in another way:

“What’s your reason for not going to church? Before you answer, read "Ten Reasons Why I Never Wash!"

1)      I was forced to wash as a child.

2)      People who wash are all hypocrites - they think they are cleaner than everyone else.

3)      There are so many different kinds of soap; I just can’t decide which one is best for me.

4)      I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped doing it.

5)      I only wash on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.

6)      None of my friends wash.

7)      I’ll start washing when I get older and dirtier.

8)      I don’t have time to wash.

9)      The bathroom is never warm enough  in winter or cool enough in summer.

10)   The people who make soap are only after your money! Sound familiar?

Speaking of the church, Paul writes: “That there should be no division … the members should have the same care one for another … ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Cor 12:25 - 27.     

You are part of Christ’s Body, the church, so you need to be there! Watchman Nee says, “Alone I cannot serve the Lord effectively, and He will spare no pains to teach me this. He will bring things to an end, allowing doors to close and leaving me effectively knocking my head against a wall until I realize that I need the help of the body, as well as of the Lord.”

There are truths taught in God’s house that you won’t here anywhere else. There you’ll find a Spiritual family to belong to, a faith to live by, and a focus that gets your eyes where they should be - on Christ!