I hope this got your attention. I’ve been thinking about the purpose of fellowship bands recently, and whilst there are a number of great reasons why we choose to meet in band, one of the most powerful was revealed to me in a surprising way…
During a recent course on the Inspire School of Discipleship, we were helped by one of our Ukrainian friends. She told us that in her native language, the word for band actually refers to thieves, as in a band of robbers. We may shrug our shoulders and say that’s not the purpose of a fellowship band, but what if it actually is? Let me explain…
At university my wife was in a jazz and gospel choir. They sang a song by Dorinda Clark-Cole called ‘Take It Back’, and there is a refrain which says “Everything that the devil stole, God’s giv’n it back to me”.
It goes on to say:
“Can’t have my joy
Can’t have my peace
Can’t have my faith
I want everything”
I hope you are making the connection. The devil loves to steal all he can from us, and to blind our eyes to what is true. He will do as much of this as he can, like draining our confidence in who God has made us to be. Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they (we) may have life and have it abundantly” (words in brackets mine).
But what if we ‘band together’ with our brothers or sisters in Christ and say “No!” to the thief? Inspire Fellowship Bands bring together 3 or 4 people to help one another to do just that. If you are not already in an Inspire Fellowship Band, then we’d love to help you get started. Click the button below to get in touch.
Are you, or is anyone in your band (if you have one), believing any lies of the enemy right now?
Has anything been taken that God wants to restore?
What are you afraid of, that God would release you from?
What does it mean for you and your band to live in the truth today?
Of course there is no such thing as ‘the best band’, but I challenge all of us in the Inspire Movement to be all we can be for Jesus and one another. There is a reason why the devil wants to prevent us living in the fullness of all that Jesus came to give us. How about we plunder hell and claim who we really are, in and because of Christ?
Let’s fight the good fight of faith by taking back what God has already given us, and seeing HIS kingdom come in the world around us. Are you ready to be part of a righteous band of thieves?
If you’d like to find out more about Inspire Fellowship Bands, we recommend that you join in our Introduction to Fellowship Band course that starts soon. Or contact us to chat about bands. Click the buttons below to register and/or connect.
Matt is Co-Director of the Inspire Movement in Great Britain.
