22Feb 07
The Blessing of True Fellowship!
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Coming together with like minded believers is so inspiring! We had the joy of going out to the Matich’s home and home church with them this past Sunday. They encouraged us in many ways that day, the first being a very heart challenging time in the word. We studied the command of Christ # 15 ‘Judge Not’. After hearing multiple scripture verses, quotes and questions to examine our own hearts, I believe we all were challenged to think before we act!
James 4:11-12 really jumped off the page to me as one that really goes well with this command so I put it to memory and have been meditating on it the last couple of days. Did you realize that when you point a finger at someone openly or secretly you are ”trying” to take the place of God? There is only one lawgiver and that is Christ. Who are we to judge? Christ calls us to have a discerning spirit vs. a judgemental spirit. Discernment is the ability to distinguish between what is good and what is evil, in order to make wise decisions. When a difficult situation comes up instead of reacting, put it to prayer and meditation. This cleanses the mind and heart which allows you to respond with the wisdom of God vs. human reasoning. What a rich time we had studying this command!! I would encourage you to look into this Command of Christ coures if you are searching for rich and rewarding results in your Christian walk!
After studying this command together. We opened the floor for everyone to encourage each other with scripture that they had memorized and meditated on recently. What another blessed 45 minutes as scripture was quoted and testimonies shared of how God has opened hearts to the blessed truths of God’s word. It also encouraged us all to be ready always to have an answer of the hope that lieth in us! We ended our morning time together with a time of joyfull singing and a season of prayer.
We gathered together in the kitchen for lunch and once again had a wonderful time encouraging each other on to righteousness. While eating we enjoyed watching the snow fall on the already 4 inches on the ground! And it was not long before we had some eager young and old people ready to head out and enjoy it 
This was probably the best winter day we have ever had! The weather was not too cold nor hot, there was delightful off and on snow falls, beautiful mountains off in the distants to gaze upon and some amazing hills to sled down which had a thick layer of ice 
on top of the snow causing you to fly like grease lightning ( as mom put it ). Now trying to get back up the hills was another story! The thick layer of ice took a lot of determination to climb. We had many good laughs as suddenly you would lose control and end up half way down the hill and have to try to climb again!
We did not stick to the sleds real long though, because we found that sliding down without them was even more thrilling! We made trains, chains and had some amazing downhill sliding races. We ended our time outside with a tour of the Matich’s beautiful land. It was a day we will not forget!
Those are some good insights, Jennifer. We recently did the Wisdom Booklet on that verse, and it was eye-opening how often I do find myself judging others. I was surprised at how hard and humbling, but necessary it was to obey the exhortation in Philippians 2:3 – “…but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
My favorite part of the day was sliding down the hill without a sled.
That sure was a true blessing going through the command of Christ (judge not). It made me want not judge others! That was a great time of sledding
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How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
How important it is not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together!
I think this is what the New Testament Church is really supposed to be; the Living Word being real to us, the center and focus of our time, changing the way we live. How rewarded I have been by chosing to put Scripture in place of other allurements that deceitfully try to take its place in my heart. What a shame that many “churches” have become little more than a performance, a show, and entertainment for pleasure-seeking infidels. (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1) Keep it up Wilkes Team and Matich family!