A Personal Note

​

We haven’t even turned the calendar to September, yet we are already in high gear here at TBC. Our people are back in place. Our worship services have been fantastic, and our Wednesday night Bible Studies have been full. We have had record numbers of people eating on Wednesday night which means the cooking team has been working very hard! This might be my favorite time of the year! I hope it is yours too!

Speaking of eating together, it’s more than just enjoying good food. It is good fellowship!

​

It thrills my heart to see so many people in the fellowship hall on Wednesdays before making their way to the various areas for Bible study. With two services, it is a way for people to meet other people they do not get to see at any other time! If you want to see who Tompkins really is, come join us for supper on Wednesdays! You’ll meet all kinds of amazing people!

​

Actually, being a believer is about relationships. Healthy congregations fellowship together and one of the best ways to do that is by sharing a meal together! Jesus “ate out” a lot! He was very active on the social scene. It was an effective way for him to minister, and he took every opportunity he could to be in a social setting with believers and non-believers alike!

​

Did you know that lending yourself to the company of others and being involved in their lives is a telltale sign of spiritual maturity! It is!

The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle, “…If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4.12

What does it mean that his love has been perfected in us? It means that our love has matured to be like the love God has for us. In the same way we love other people!

​

Not only is it a sign of spiritual maturity, but it is an indication that we indeed have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This gives us confidence before God because we have assurance of our salvation. Therefore, we no longer fear the judgment!

​

That’s true! Listen to the words of John. He says, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” 1 John 4.17-18a

​

In other words, as we feel the love of God we have in our hearts toward others, we can be assured that we are indeed a child of God!

This is nonnegotiable. You can’t say you love God and not love others, especially other believers! John said this in chapter 5, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.” 1 John 5.1

​

Do you feel the love of God in your heart? Then rejoice and take opportunities to fellowship with other believers!

 

jlk