Friday August 25, 2023

Today is Friday, August 25 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.

As a new day dawns, I praise God with the words of Psalm 127.

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5a

Pause and Pray

The first of three letters written by the Apostle John was written to a community of people who started out believing in Jesus but were beginning to have doubts. John was an eyewitness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He had seen Jesus with his own eyes, touched him with his own hands and heard his voice with his own ears. Jesus was real, tangible and true. John testifies to the good news of Jesus and the salvation and new life that he provides. He testifies about Jesus for one reason: to restore the fellowship of believers with God and one another.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:3-7

Christians enjoy fellowship with the Triune God and the community of faith. Christian fellowship is understood to be both vertical and horizontal. Vertical fellowship is the restoration of our relationship with God. Horizontal fellowship is the sharing of life with a community of faithful believers and followers of Christ. The vertical and the horizontal relationships intersect in the shape of a cross. Fellowship is made possible because of what Christ has accomplished on the cross. It is possible for Christian fellowship to be broken and the community of faith harmed. When that happens, the church needs the healing touch of God and the restoration of fellowship.

Ask: What is the state of my vertical fellowship with God? What is the state of my horizontal fellowship with my community of faith?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, thank you for welcoming me home and restoring me in fellowship with you. Thank you for the faithful believers in my church family with whom I share fellowship. These relationships bring me great joy. Make my steps steady to walk in the light alongside others and steer me away from any darkness. Bless my community of faith and strengthen our relationships with one another. I read the words from First John again and listen for the message you have for me.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:3-7

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

I believe in Jesus Christ. His precious blood was shed for me. I am purified from all sin and my trespasses have been forgiven. Because of Jesus I am restored in fellowship with God. I stand in the blessed light of the Triune God and there is no darkness at all. I walk in the light as God is in the light. I do not walk alone. I make this daily pilgrim journey with a vast community of faithful people. I walk this road holding hands in fellowship with other believers. We travel together seeking to grow in holiness and love, longing to be made more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, thank you for the fellowship I enjoy with you and other Christian believers. These relationships bless me daily and help me make steady strides on the journey of life. Bless my community of faith and show me ways I can better love and serve the family of believers. Amen.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

I leave this time of prayer thankful for my family of believers. I go to show my love and appreciation for my community of faith.

Amen