Thursday August 24, 2023

Today is Thursday, August 24 and we are studying what the Bible says about community.

In the morning I seek quiet moments of solitude and holy silence. I center my whole being on the God who loves me. My soul hungers and thirsts for the sweet presence and blessed companionship of the Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, my soul longs for you. Fill the emptiness of my lonely heart, embrace me in your goodness, take my hand and guide my steps on this pilgrim journey. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his goodness with the ancient words of Psalm 68.

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing. Psalm 68:4-6a

Pause and Pray

God is a God of relationships. God knows how essential healthy relationships are for human living. Family relationships are the closest and most important relationships in our lives. God wants to bless us through the gift of family. Family can be a source of great love, joy and peace, yet these relationships can also cause great concern and sometimes harm. The Bible provides rules for the Christian household. They are rules to apply to our closest relationships daily. They are found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

Just as I choose what clothing I am going to wear each day, I also choose to don important relational clothing. As I consider the closest relationships in my life, have I put on the right clothes? God wants me to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I am to cover all these virtues with a big dose of love. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to dress myself properly. I ask for the peace of Jesus to rule in my heart above everything else. As I approach the upcoming day, I pray for the people I will need to “bear with” and those I might need to forgive.

Ask: What article of relational clothing am I missing? What vices do I need to take off and what virtues do I need to put on?

Pause and Pray

Dear God, I am so thankful. Thank you for the special people in my life. I name each family member and praise you for their life. Thank you for loving me, leading me in a life of holiness and blessing me with relationships. Show me how to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Help me to forgive others from the heart, knowing how you have graciously forgiven me. I read the words from Colossians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

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

God wants to speak to me today about my relationships, especially my relationships with members of my family. God wants to repair, heal, strengthen and bless all of my relationships because he knows how important they are in my life. I listen carefully to the teaching from this passage of scripture. Whatever word that stands out to me, I consider how God might want me to apply it to one of my relationships. Perhaps there is someone I need to forgive or someone I need to approach and ask for forgiveness. Maybe I need a dose of patience or gentleness. I can rely on the Holy Spirit to supply the relational virtues I lack.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I invite you into my relationships. Come into my household, reveal the places of strain and bring your peace. Mend what is broken, heal what is torn, strengthen what is weak, and increase our love for one another. Bless my home, my marriage, and my family relationships. Amen.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

I leave this time of prayer thankful for the people in my life. I go to demonstrate my love for them in tangible ways.

Amen