Out of Fellowship *

Please note: I did not write this one. My friend, Chey Hollesen-Sechrist posted it today. It was a story she found and added her thoughts to it. It is a great exhortation and one I felt compelled to share as the Promise for Today

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Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God.

Deuteronomy 25:17-18

If you haven't been in fellowship for awhile... If you haven't had that resting stop or a desire to be among God's people to serve and to be served, to love and be loved... If you have a disdain for the church or think "God understands" that you have a "special relationship with Him" and don't need His people... think again. There were others who thought the same. (Please read Exodus 17:8-18:27)

The name Rephidim means "resting place." Rephidim was supposed to be a rest stop, a place to find water and peace. But unlike its name, the Israelites found no water or rest, and were attacked by the Amalekites.

The Amalekites were descendants of Amalek. Amalek was one of Esau's grandsons. (In the above Scripture reference - Deuteronomy) Moses was reminding the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land of all that had happened. He reminded them of their first encounter with the Amalekites.

So the Amalekites' first strategy was to attack the stragglers at the rear, picking off the ones who didn't walk with the rest of the children of God. That is the easiest place for you to be attacked as well. When you're out of fellowship with the rest of God's people, having a 'Lone Ranger' kind of attitude: "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian. I can worship God up on this mountain while I'm hunting." Guess what - something is hunting you. The further you are from the rest of the flock, the easier prey you are for the wolves.

One of Chey's friends commented, "When church politics override the presence of God in a place, it can be so easy to opt out, but we were commanded not to forsake fellowship with one another. So we need to renew our efforts to make 'church" the resting place... a safe shelter... the place to rejuvenate that God meant for it to be." 

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for this encouragement today. May it light the heart of one who needs to hear it. Help us to help reconnect those who have fallen out of fellowship over past hurts, slights or offenses. Make this exhortation a Rhema word in our hearts and lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen