As Paul, Luke, and other brothers were traveling toward Jerusalem, having been passengers on a cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea, the ship finally arrived at the port of Tyre, and Luke commented, “for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And finding the disciples, we stayed seven days” (Acts 21:3-4). There are two very important points to note from Lukes’ inspired historical commentary. The first is that they evidently looked for the brethren and second is that they stayed long enough to meet with them on the first day of the week. Those two points relate to Christians traveling in the twenty-first century. 
            This was not the only time that Paul and the brothers traveling with him stayed at least seven days in a place and met with brethren at that location. Previously when Paul and the others had arrived at Troas, Luke wrote, “…and in five days we joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:6-7). From these few words recorded by Luke it is unmistakably clear that it was important to Paul to be able to spend time with members of the church to worship God, specifically on the first day of the week, and to enjoy fellowship in conversation and common meals together, which was a biblical pattern for the church.
            In the last chapter in the book of Acts there is the history of the final part of Paul’s journey to Rome when he was to be taken as a prisoner, and they arrived to Puteoli, Italy, a major seaport where grain from African ships would be unloaded. Luke wrote, “…and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days” (Acts 28:13-14). How wonderful it must have been for Paul upon arriving to the seaport in Italy and to find brethren there and to be able to have fellowship with them and be there on the first day of the week. 
            The spiritual value of Christians coming together on the first day of the week, which is the will of God, and being together at other times during the week is demonstrated clearly in the New Testament. After being in Troas, Paul and the other brethren communicated with the elders of the church in Ephesus and set a specific place where they would meet to be able to in order to talk, consider a message from God’s Word, and to enjoy time together as Christians (Acts 20:17-38). It seems that wherever Paul traveled he looked for members of the Lord’s church so that he could worship together with them and enjoy the fellowship. Paul loved being with his brothers and sisters in Christ and that is evident by the fact that Paul desired to find them and to stay with them at least through the first day of the week.
            As Christians our travel plans should include God. For example, if one plans a vacation to somewhere in Tennessee and will be there over a Sunday, then a love of God and brethren should motivate one to search out where and when the Lord’s church meets before leaving home.  What does taking time to meet with the Lord’s church when traveling accomplish? First, it pleases God (Hebrews 10:24-25). Second, your taking time to visit a congregation of the Lord’s church in Tennessee, California, or wherever, is a great encouragement to the brothers and sisters in that location. Finally, you will be spiritually encouraged and thankful that you were able to meet and get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ in another town.