Friday September 15, 2023

Today is Friday, September 15 and we are exploring what the Bible says about life together in the Body of Christ.

As a new day dawns, I seek God first. I slow down and pause to focus on his loving presence. I inhale his goodness and peace and exhale any worries or concerns. I leave my burdens to rest in his strong hands.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, you are King of my heart and Shepherd of my soul. Walk with me on today’s journey. Lead me to green pastures and still waters. Guide me in paths of righteousness and fill the cup of my heart with your goodness. Amen.

I praise God for life together in my community of faith. I rejoice with the words of Psalm 133.

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. Psalm 133:1-3a

Pause and Pray

At the beginning of Romans chapter fifteen, Paul reminds the church’s stronger believers of their responsibility to bear with and support weaker believers. In the church there is an obligation to work together to maintain unity and peace. We are to help the weak to grow strong. All of us are still progressing in the faith and gaining understanding. No matter where we are on that continuum, there are some who are further along, and others who are further behind. We all journey in this faith life together. We receive encouragement from those who are stronger, and we are called to encourage and strengthen those who are weaker.

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. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:1-2,4-7

As I consider my current church home, I reflect on how I am accepting others, working for their good, building them up, teaching, encouraging and providing hope. In the same way, I consider how the people in my church family have accepted me, are working for my good, building me up, teaching, encouraging and giving me hope. I am invited to experience life together with a wonderful faith family and in that relationship, there is a giving and receiving of God’s goodness. As I consider other churches and Christian believers in my city, I reflect on how I am accepting them, working for their good, encouraging and building them up.

Ask: Is my attitude of mind toward those in the faith the same attitude that Jesus had? How do I give good gifts to others and how do I receive the good gifts of others?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for the good people of faith who once bore with my failings and weak faith. Forgive me when I seek to please myself instead of working to please you and bring good gifts to others. Let me dedicate myself to the building up of others. I will work to teach the faith to the next generation, encourage the new believer and give hope to those who struggle. I will accept others because you accepted me. I honor, praise and glorify you. I read the words from Romans again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:1-2,4-7

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

God wants to speak to me about my particular role in my community of faith. Whatever word or phrase that stands out to me, I record it in my journal and will carry it with me throughout the day. Perhaps there is a specific circumstance in my church that this passage informs. Maybe there is a particular relationship with another believer that God wants to speak into. Perhaps there is someone I need to pray for. Someone who God wants me to accept, bear with, build up, teach, or encourage. I seek to be obedient to God’s will throughout my day.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I invite you into my church home. I open the doors wide and welcome you in. Strengthen relationships, bring unity where there is discord, bring peace where there is division, bring acceptance where there is misunderstanding. Raise up the weak and make us strong. Work all things together for the good of those who love you. Sanctify us in your grace and lead us to holiness of heart and life. Amen.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

I leave this time of prayer rejoicing to be a part of the Body of Christ. I go to build up and strengthen others in the faith.

Amen