Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

16 July 2025

Reading From Acts 20:1-16

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”

—Acts 20:7

     I love that when the followers of Jesus came together, they ate together.  Fellowship is one of God’s purposes for His Church.  Spending time with one another strengths the bonds of faith, hope and love.  As we converse and honor the Lord with what we say to each other, we build each other up our faith and “iron sharpens iron.”[1]  This helps our spiritual growth as individuals and as a community and we become more like Jesus.  As we are conformed to His image, our unity together and with Him grows closer.  I love food, I love people and I love Jesus, so fellowship (quality time) is definitely one of my love languages.

     Spiritual knowledge and wisdom is invaluable.  Paul knew that the time he had with them was short and his heart was filled with precious treasure to share.  Apparently he did so for hours and hours and a young man sitting in a window fell asleep; literally.  The window was three stories up and he fell to his death.  Paul rushed down, threw himself upon his body, embraced him and prayed.  Eutychus came alive!  Everyone ate together again and the apostle continued teaching until daylight.  What a wild church service!  And to think, most modern Christians I know have difficulty paying attention for more than thirty minutes.  I suppose many of us are a lot like Eutychus, so stay safe during long sermons.

“Lord Jesus, give Your people a hunger for Your Word as we learn together.  I know that for many who have been hurt in various relationships, meeting up with others can be difficult.  I pray that You would heal broken hearts and motivate us to be more sociable.  Bring us together in unity as Your Body the Church.  In Your Name I pray, Amen.”

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

—Acts 2:42-47

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[1] Proverbs 27:17