And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

The First Century believers were obviously big on the basics as seen in this verse. They had to be.

A side note: they were probably the first Baptists (breaking of bread seems to be a particularly worldwide Baptist feature…).

Teaching, fellowship, and prayer are three fundamental activities of any healthy and growing group of believers.

That’s why in 2020 when the government shut down the churches, we were all affected by it. That physical contact and presence makes all the difference in the world. Yes, ministry occurs in the virtual/online world, but there’s nothing like shaking hands or hugging a fellow believer who is struggling or going through rough times. The same can also be said of praying and teaching.

Over the next few months, church leadership around the world will have some big decisions to make as governments continue to push vaccine mandates and vaccine passports. When they tell churches that all parishioners have to be vaccinated to attend, what will pastors do? Will they keep the doors open for the unvaccinated? I don’t have to be a Nostradamus to see these kinds of actions coming in the very near future. I suspect and hope that elders and deacons (or whatever church leadership is in place) are discussing and praying over these these things now. There’s no reason to be left flatfooted when the government does come knocking, even if it means losing their 501(c)3 non-profit status or being fined or even being jailed.

I don’t write these things lightly because my point in writing these devotionals is to encourage and exhort, but I see some dark times ahead. I wish it weren’t so and I hope I’m wrong.

But we should pray against all of the madness and confusion that’s all around us. We’re headed towards something but have no idea what each day holds.

Pray with other believers. Pray pray pray.