From England’s Sally Lunn to Germany’s pretzels, France’s baguette, Mexico’s tortillas, Russia’s kulich, Greece’s Kouloras and the Hebrew challah, bread is a staple food in many cultures. This is why breaking bread symbolises friendship, unity and hospitality.
We can experience this friendship and unity whether we are breaking bread at a family meal or dining out with friends. But nowhere does the meaning behind this practice come more alive than when we break bread with our church family – no matter where we are in the world.
The body of Christ is a great force
When functioning properly, the church is one of the most powerful forces on earth. It is also one of the greatest forces for our health and well-being, both spiritually and emotionally. When we are faced with insurmountable difficulties, it is a great blessing to know that our spiritual family is standing with us in prayer and in practical ways.
The body of Christ, when functioning properly, is one of the greatest forces on earth… it has all the power of God and heaven behind it!
Signora Sheila
That’s why I’m so grateful for my wonderful brethren around the world. They have stood with us in prayer and practical ways all throughout the years. But we’re most thankful for our Italian brethren. In times of trouble and trial, they’ve been here, right by our side. Loving, supporting, and helping us to endure even life’s most severe storms.
Fellowship helps us to grow
Do you feel like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back in your spiritual journey?
Perhaps you lack the strength that comes from being lifted up and supported by fellow believers. Every task is easier when it is shared, and our journey with Christ is no different.
So don’t give up on the church. Yes, it’s full of problems. And people who don’t always practise what they preach.
But that’s because, after all, the church is like a hospital. It’s where those who are spiritually sick or weak can find help, hope, and comfort. The church is not for perfect people; we’ll only find them in heaven. It is for people like you and me, often weak, struggling, and in need of help.
And this blessing is possible only because Christ, through his death and resurrection, has not only reunited with our heavenly Father, but has also made us part of one great body throughout the world.
Strength is found in communion and fellowship.
Rediscover the immense blessing of the strength that is found in the fellowship and communion of those who share your journey!
When was the last time you truly thanked the Lord for the wonderful and ingenious gift of fellowship? And also thanked your brethren for who and what they are in your life?
Communion is strength, solitude is weakness. Alone, the fine old beech yields to the blast, and lies prone upon the sward: in the forest, supporting each other, the trees laugh at the hurricane. The sheep of Jesus flock together; the social element is the genius of Christianity.
Charles Spurgeon, Illustration Collection
Such close-knit fellowship is so necessary for our own health and stability–0and accountability. What’s amazing is this community across the miles where we find encouragement in one another. The gifts from the Lord just keep coming!
Yes it is, Dayle. Although I think accountability (which is so necessary) is one thing that many people these days want to escape. And I agree, the online community we find with fellow believers is such a huge blessing and gift! (One I never would have dreamed of finding!)
Breaking bread together and sharing fellowship can strengthen the faith of all. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Yes, it can! You have a blessed week too!
Just this past Sunday evening our church broke bread together (barbecue, actually!!), followed by brief reports from a couple of the elders, and then open-mike testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of congregational members. We heard numerous people share about their cell group–their support, prayer, help, financial assistance, etc. It was SO uplifting to hear the stories! With you I praise God for the fellowship of kindred spirits, made possible by our precious Jesus who binds us together in one great body of believers!
Those are such good times for sure| And so uplifting. I’m especially glad that you have a good church family during this difficult time you have both been going through. How is Steve doing? Hope and pray he’s gaining day by day.
Amen! Praise God for the blessing of encouragement from fellow believers! God bless you ~ I hope to visit Italy some day:) Have a blessed week!
Amen! Praise God for the blessing of encouragement from fellow believers! God bless you ~ I hope to visit Italy some day:) Have a blessed week!