Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. The prompt this week is … Church.
I was raised in the church and it was not usual for us to be there more than once a week. When your mom plays the piano and organ, her rotation comes up often. It was a small church in the Bronx and everyone knew you, making it a wonderful place to be each time the doors were open.
Since those days, I have attended some churches where I was known, and some where I was not known at all. Slipping in and out, with hardly a greeting.
This year has brought many of us to a strange place with church – no longer able to gather, we gathered online. And it was precious. Some gathered outdoors as the weather warmed. Some still gathered indoors but in smaller groups.
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20, NLT)
But God kept His people connected. His Word still went forth and we are promised, it will not return void. It will accomplish His purposes.
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
(Isaiah 55:10-11, NLT)
The Church. My Bible dictionary brings this definition: “the body of believers gathered to worship Jesus (not the building in which they meet)” (NLT Bible Dictionary).
The Church. It may look and sound differently in these days we are living but one thing is certain:
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ”˜rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:18, NLT)
Photo by David Tommasino
Today I am joining …
So good – the church will prevail! Form and style may change but the church is still active! FMF#9
So thankful that although church gatherings have changed, the body of Christ still worships our true Lord, and even the gates of hell can’t prevail against her! Great piece!
“For where two or three ZOOM together as my followers, I am there among them.”
🙂 So true!
Love this. My prayer partner and I were just talking about this as we zoom prayed together this morning.
Awesome blog!
â¤ï¸Terri D
FMF
#12 FMF
Yup! Even Zoom!
These times have some dire days
for the Body of the Christ,
and there are those would have praised
its loss and sacrifice
to the rules become capricious
(yes, protets, but no singing)
and then tended toward the vicious;
some states were lawsuits bringing
against those brave enough to stand
for their worship-rights;
that was how we won this land,
by readiness to fight
for the things that we believe
and never from our faith be cleaved.
“… and never from our faith be cleaved.” Amen.
Christ will build His church! Amen!!
Amie, FMF #15
Interesting discovery. I can never find the comments link when I read your posts through your blog, but when I go through the FMF link-up, there it is, right at the top. I wonder why that is?
I am so grateful for parking-lot worship, Joanne! And I didn’t realize you are from New York … my mom was born in White Plains but grew up in the Bronx. She lived in Kansas for more than forty years, but her accent never completely left her. 🙂
🙂 I loved reading of your mom, Lois. I don’t think we ever lose our accent. My kids still laugh as they ask me to say certain words.
Yes, the church has been so different these past several months but it is STILL the church! Praise God!! Our mission and calling hasn’t changed, and neither has the Author and Perfecter of our Faith.
Visiting from FMF#25
This is our blessed assurance!
Having a very small church has allowed us to gather because we have ample room to distance. Having to go on-line for a few months has made my church family ever so much more dear to me. So thankful to God for placing me here. He is always with us.
Yes! “Where two or three are gathered.”