Wednesday October 25, 2023

Today is Wednesday, October 25 and we are learning what the Bible says about bearing with others.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I quiet my mind, slow my breath and open my heart to the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for the community of faithful followers I have found in my church home. I am grateful for valuable relationships that strengthen my steps and nourish my faith. Show me what it means to live life together and bear with one another in love. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his kindness and loving care with the words of Psalm 8.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5

Pause and Pray

As I consider what it means to live life together in a community of Christ followers, I reflect on the impact of sin. Every redeemed sinner is moving on to holiness and being sanctified by grace, yet will occasionally continue to succumb to sinful behavior. Some weaker brothers and sisters may fail and fall more severely. At times I may be disappointed in the behavior of others in the body of the church or confused by their actions. How am I to respond? Paul has soe advice in the Book of Galatians. Temptation abounds and so does grace.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:1-5

God has placed other faithful believers in my life for support and accountability. Who has God placed in my life? I consider who I feel close to in the body of Christ. Do I feel safe enough to reveal my shortcomings and transgressions? I consider who is watching over me in love, encouraging and praying for me. Who do I watch over in love, encourage and pray for? Paul calls this an important burden that each of us must carry for one another. The burden of continued temptation, the possibility of choosing the wrong path and falling away.

Ask: How can I provide other believers support and accountability? Who provides me support and accountability?

Pause and Pray

Dear Lord, I am thankful for faithful brothers and sisters in the faith. Put people in my life who I can trust and respect. Reveal my sin so I can confess it. Keep me from temptation and allow me to not deceive myself. Test my thoughts and actions. Show me what it means to bear the burdens of the Christian faith journey with others. I read the words from Galatians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:1-5

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I ruminate on this passage of scripture. I consider the words that strike me the most. Words like watch, temptation, sin, and deception. Or words like gentle, carry, bear and restore. I consider my current church home and my friends in the faith. Perhaps I am blessed with close relationships where I feel safe to share my heart and bear my soul with others. Maybe God is stirring a desire in me for those types of intimate reliable friendships. Maybe the place to begin is prayer – praying for the authentic Christian community God wants to bless me with.

Pause and Pray

Jesus, I invite you into my relationships. Show me the people you have chosen to be my spiritual companions and guides on this journey. Reveal those you have chosen for me to watch over, mentor and encourage. Remind me of the importance of authentic Christian community and the blessings you want me to discover in my faith family. Amen.

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:1-2

I leave this time of prayer encouraged by the love of Christ, I go to strengthen the weak and watch over the wavering in his name.

Amen