Friday September 22, 2023

Today is Friday, September 22 and we are exploring what the Bible says about being part of a church community.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe deeply and slowly and focus myself entirely upon God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord God, thank you for loving me. I am grateful you are always there to communicate with me throughout my day. Help me to slow down and seek your voice in my life. Teach me to listen with the ears of my heart and discern the particular message you have for me. Amen.

I know my Lord God watches over me and I rejoice with the words of Psalm 121.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4

Pause and Pray

Christians are called to live a life of love, committed to growing in their love for God and others. I am invited to be in community with other believers. The phrase that best captures what early Methodists believed about Christian community was “watching over one another in love.” Christians are encouraged to invite faithful believers into their lives and enter into life-giving relationships so together they can grow in grace. The early Methodists were committed to being on a journey together and invited the Holy Spirit to sanctify them through and through. They understood this did not happen in isolation and realized they needed one another in order to persevere. This understanding is captured in the following passage on Christian community in the book of Romans.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

The words of Paul written to the ancient Romans inform me directly today. I endeavor to hate what is evil and I strive to cling to what is good. I hope to honor others and express a sincere love for them. God calls me to devote myself to other Christ followers – to watch over their souls in love. That means forming deep relationships with fellow believers, openly sharing the state of my soul with them, offering and receiving prayer, providing and finding encouragement, and agreeing to be called to account when I am lured into sinful behavior. In this type of relationship, the Holy Spirit works to mature me and my fellow companions, if we devote ourselves to one another.

Ask: When have I experienced authentic Christian fellowship with other believers? What steps might God want me to take to deepen my relationships with other Christians?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for revealing the importance of Christian fellowship to me. I realize I cannot progress in sanctification without the help and encouragement of other believers. Bring me into relationship with faithful followers. Together, teach us to cling to good, reject evil, demonstrate hospitality and share with the needy. Restore our zeal and maintain our fervor as we endeavor to faithfully serve you. Show us what it means to devote ourselves to one another with a love that is sincere. I read the words from Romans again and listen for the message you have for me.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

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 me to realize the importance of the fellowship of Christian believers. Perhaps God desires to bring people into my life with whom I can covenant to grow in faith. Maybe God longs to see me increase in love, goodness, hope, patience and faithfulness. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will use other Christians to speak truth into my life and watch over my soul in love. I consider what emotions that stirs for me. Do I feel vulnerable and resistant or do I feel eagerness and longing? If I ask, God will reveal faithful people I can trust to foster deep and fruitful relationships of Christian fellowship.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I welcome you to toil and tarry in the depths of my soul. Teach me what it means to be in relationship with other Christians and reveal the people you have designated to share my faith journey. Grant me courage and determination to step out and explore authentic Christian fellowship, to watch over one another in love as the early Methodists did. Amen.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

I leave this time of prayer knowing I am loved by a God who watches over me. I go to watch over others in the love of Jesus Christ his Son.

Amen