Wednesday August 23, 2023

Today is Wednesday, August 23 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 weary hand and guide my steps on this pilgrim journey. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his faithfulness with the words of Psalm 71.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:17-18

Pause and Pray

God is a God of relationships. We were created to be in relationship with God and one another. God knows that healthy relationships are one of the greatest blessings in the life of a human being. Relationships with parents, siblings, spouse, children, friends and Christian community are a vital source of love, peace, joy and hope in life. The Bible teaches us how to have strong relationships with other people and how best to live with others. In all our dealings with other people, we are to imitate Jesus Christ.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:1-5

Paul knew that what the church in Philippi needed was peace and harmony. Healthy relationships will strengthen the church and bring them together. Unity and like-mindedness will make their relationships stronger and bring them joy. It is the same for my relationships. I am to seek unity and peace in my marriage, my family and my friendships. Paul encourages me to be like-minded, having the same love and being united in spirit. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with everyone about everything. It does mean I should not allow disagreements to cause irreparable division.

Ask: What relationships in my life bring me the greatest joy? What relationships could use healing, strengthening or improvement?

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, thank you for the life in Christ I share with others. Thank you for your encouragement, comfort and love. I am a recipient of your tender compassion and am blessed by the joy of your presence. Teach me how to live in healthy relationship with others. Guard me from doing anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. May I value others above myself and look to their interests before my own. I read the words from Philippians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:1-5

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

Unity and peace in relationships bring joy. The path to unity and peace involves two steps – humility and service. A humble heart and genuine concern for the other person calms many troubled relational waters. Pride, conceit, selfishness, the need to “be right” and putting myself first will only make things worse. Jesus is the model for my relationships with other people. Jesus emptied himself of divinity, humbled himself and gave himself for others on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). I am to approach relationships in the same way. I am to be humble, willing to empty myself for someone else, and put their interests before my own.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I invite you into my relationships. Come into my life and reveal the places of discord and division. Mend what is broken, heal what is torn, strengthen what is weak, and increase my love for others. Bring unity, peace and joy to my home, marriage, family and friendships. Amen.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to be an instrument of peace, forgiving others and working to strengthen every relationship with love.

Amen