Today's scripture: Psalm 42:4
I love the fact that when I find myself with a group of Christ-followers, I'm
with family. Since I don't have children of my own, and my own family is spread
across the country, I find myself seeking others to be my "family."
I've found family at church ("... the house of God") and in small
groups. I've found family in pockets of believers at past jobs.
There's a reason why we're told not to neglect fellowship with other believers
(I apologize: I'm having a bit of fibro brain this morning and can't remember
the passage this comes from ... I think it's in Hebrews?). Being around other
people who share our faith and believe in our Lord helps us to grow in our own
faith.
Seeing how the Lord answers others' prayers reminds us that He always does. Hearing stories about His
provision assures us He always will
provide. Reading of how He's miraculously intervened in difficult situations
gives us confidence that He still does miracles today.
While it is important to be in a good, Bible-teaching church home, we can find
those "multitudes" that lift up "voice[s] of joy and
praise" in so many places. Work. Someone's home.
Just find that place where you feel surrounded by the love of Jesus. Find that
family.
You'll be so blessed when you do.
Showing posts with label church family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church family. Show all posts
Monday, February 04, 2019
Friday, July 01, 2016
God's Family (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2
If you’re a follower of Christ, you’re part of a world-wide family. Anywhere you go, you can find a Bible-believing church, and immediately, you’re with brothers and sisters.
I’m blessed to speak for women’s events and retreats, and it never fails to bless my heart. Sometimes, I speak at events that are miles from my home. I’ve never been to these places, and the only contact I have is by phone and email with the heads of the planning committees. But when I arrive, I am invariably embraced by sisters I’ve never met. In an instant, I’m with family.
We are blessed to be a part of God’s family, and we should cherish and honor our relationships with our brothers and sisters. There is no place for gossip or maligning in our family. No pride. No dissension. No resentment. No jealousy.
Rather, we should genuinely love, support, and celebrate each other. Doing so delights our Father’s heart.
If you’re a follower of Christ, you’re part of a world-wide family. Anywhere you go, you can find a Bible-believing church, and immediately, you’re with brothers and sisters.
I’m blessed to speak for women’s events and retreats, and it never fails to bless my heart. Sometimes, I speak at events that are miles from my home. I’ve never been to these places, and the only contact I have is by phone and email with the heads of the planning committees. But when I arrive, I am invariably embraced by sisters I’ve never met. In an instant, I’m with family.
We are blessed to be a part of God’s family, and we should cherish and honor our relationships with our brothers and sisters. There is no place for gossip or maligning in our family. No pride. No dissension. No resentment. No jealousy.
Rather, we should genuinely love, support, and celebrate each other. Doing so delights our Father’s heart.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Your Very Large Family (Colossians 4:7-18)
Today's scripture:
Colossians 4:7-18
We who follow Christ are part of a family—a very large family. And what an amazing blessing that truly is.
Have you ever stopped to think about how blessed you are to have brothers and sisters in Christ wherever you go? How many times have you travelled to an unknown place and met a fellow believer? Suddenly, being with that brother or sister overshadows whatever uncertainty you may have in that new place.
Or have you moved from the safe and familiar, and then have found a church home? Immediately, you're part of a family again. When I moved from California to Tennessee, I found a new small group of women who have become my sisters in Christ. We come from very different backgrounds, and our journeys are very diverse. But because of our love for Christ, we are sisters, and we genuinely love each other. We pray for each other. We rejoice in answered prayers. We support each other.
I have a wonderful biological family, and I love each and every one of them. However, they're all far from me, geographically. And so I feel tremendously blessed that I have my family of sisters who love me and hug me and offer the support I can't always get from my own family.
If you're a follower of Christ and you don't have this kind of loving, supportive "family," I encourage you to find a church—a God-honoring, Bible-believing church—and experience the wonderful blessing of knowing your many brothers and sisters.
We who follow Christ are part of a family—a very large family. And what an amazing blessing that truly is.
Have you ever stopped to think about how blessed you are to have brothers and sisters in Christ wherever you go? How many times have you travelled to an unknown place and met a fellow believer? Suddenly, being with that brother or sister overshadows whatever uncertainty you may have in that new place.
Or have you moved from the safe and familiar, and then have found a church home? Immediately, you're part of a family again. When I moved from California to Tennessee, I found a new small group of women who have become my sisters in Christ. We come from very different backgrounds, and our journeys are very diverse. But because of our love for Christ, we are sisters, and we genuinely love each other. We pray for each other. We rejoice in answered prayers. We support each other.
I have a wonderful biological family, and I love each and every one of them. However, they're all far from me, geographically. And so I feel tremendously blessed that I have my family of sisters who love me and hug me and offer the support I can't always get from my own family.
If you're a follower of Christ and you don't have this kind of loving, supportive "family," I encourage you to find a church—a God-honoring, Bible-believing church—and experience the wonderful blessing of knowing your many brothers and sisters.
Friday, March 04, 2016
Family! (Colossians 2:1-5)
Today's scripture:
Colossians 2:1-5
One of the greatest gifts—among so many—about being a follower of Christ is the fact that we're a family. Those of us who believe in and follow Christ are brothers and sisters. What I love most about this is, no matter where you go, you can find a whole new set of Christian "siblings."
When my husband and I relocated from Southern California in April 2015, one of my few regrets was leaving my church and a faith-based theater I was involved with. I knew I would miss my “family,” my brothers and sisters in Christ. But one thing I knew; when we “landed” in Tennessee, I would find a new church home and a new “family.” It took a few months, but I have not only found a church home where God is revealing my “fit,” but I am also part of a small group of wonderful women who pray for me and with whom I fellowship.
It's such a blessing! And as Paul writes, even when we're not physically with our Christian brothers and sisters, we're still part of His family. All those wonderful Christian friends I left behind and whom I will rarely see in person are still my “siblings.” We are still part of the same family. I know they pray for me and love me. As I do them.
What a wonderful gift!
One of the greatest gifts—among so many—about being a follower of Christ is the fact that we're a family. Those of us who believe in and follow Christ are brothers and sisters. What I love most about this is, no matter where you go, you can find a whole new set of Christian "siblings."
When my husband and I relocated from Southern California in April 2015, one of my few regrets was leaving my church and a faith-based theater I was involved with. I knew I would miss my “family,” my brothers and sisters in Christ. But one thing I knew; when we “landed” in Tennessee, I would find a new church home and a new “family.” It took a few months, but I have not only found a church home where God is revealing my “fit,” but I am also part of a small group of wonderful women who pray for me and with whom I fellowship.
It's such a blessing! And as Paul writes, even when we're not physically with our Christian brothers and sisters, we're still part of His family. All those wonderful Christian friends I left behind and whom I will rarely see in person are still my “siblings.” We are still part of the same family. I know they pray for me and love me. As I do them.
What a wonderful gift!
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Church Family? (Philippians 4:14-16)
Today’s scripture: Philippians 4:14-16
Members of the early church were a family, in the truest sense of the word. They ate together, worshipped together, supported each other, gave freely to those in need (see Acts 2:41-47). Paul was the recipient of gifts from the church in Philippi, as they desired to meet his needs.
I read these words and have to ask myself, “Is the church of today anything like this?”
In some ways, the answer is yes. We do worship together. We do fellowship together. But not in the almost constant way of the early church.
I fear, for the most part, the answer is no. Let’s be honest. Would we be willing to sell all we own and give it to those in need? Would we be willing to get together with other believers every day—even several times each day—for worship and fellowship?
Yes, we have busy schedules. Yes, we have work or school commitments. Yes, we live miles away from our church homes. It’s not as easy as it was when everyone lived within walking distance.
But could we do more to emulate the early church? I ask this of myself as well. I think we could do more to be a true family. And I pray that somehow we will be.
Members of the early church were a family, in the truest sense of the word. They ate together, worshipped together, supported each other, gave freely to those in need (see Acts 2:41-47). Paul was the recipient of gifts from the church in Philippi, as they desired to meet his needs.
I read these words and have to ask myself, “Is the church of today anything like this?”
In some ways, the answer is yes. We do worship together. We do fellowship together. But not in the almost constant way of the early church.
I fear, for the most part, the answer is no. Let’s be honest. Would we be willing to sell all we own and give it to those in need? Would we be willing to get together with other believers every day—even several times each day—for worship and fellowship?
Yes, we have busy schedules. Yes, we have work or school commitments. Yes, we live miles away from our church homes. It’s not as easy as it was when everyone lived within walking distance.
But could we do more to emulate the early church? I ask this of myself as well. I think we could do more to be a true family. And I pray that somehow we will be.
Friday, October 02, 2015
Burden-Bearers (Galatians 6:2)
Today's
scriptures: Galatians 6:2
How grateful I am for the burden-bearers in my life. Those people who pray for me, who care for me, who love me. If it weren’t for them, I sometimes wonder how I’d survive. Oh, I know my strength comes from my heavenly Father, and I know it’s His grace that covers me.
But sometimes we need to see Jesus “in the flesh.” Know what I mean? Sometimes we need a hug or a shoulder or an ear. We need to be embraced, not only by the love of our Father, but also by arms of flesh.
And I’m so blessed to have people in my life who, just with a request, pray for me and support me. Most of all, my wonderful husband, who isn’t a follower of Christ … He is my greatest burden-bearer. His love and care and support are irreplaceable—and I am so very grateful for him.
Not only do I have my own burden-bearers, but I’ve also been blessed to bear a few burdens for my friends. And that too is such a blessing.
I pray you have burden-bearers in your life. And I pray you’re a burden-bearer for someone else.
How grateful I am for the burden-bearers in my life. Those people who pray for me, who care for me, who love me. If it weren’t for them, I sometimes wonder how I’d survive. Oh, I know my strength comes from my heavenly Father, and I know it’s His grace that covers me.
But sometimes we need to see Jesus “in the flesh.” Know what I mean? Sometimes we need a hug or a shoulder or an ear. We need to be embraced, not only by the love of our Father, but also by arms of flesh.
And I’m so blessed to have people in my life who, just with a request, pray for me and support me. Most of all, my wonderful husband, who isn’t a follower of Christ … He is my greatest burden-bearer. His love and care and support are irreplaceable—and I am so very grateful for him.
Not only do I have my own burden-bearers, but I’ve also been blessed to bear a few burdens for my friends. And that too is such a blessing.
I pray you have burden-bearers in your life. And I pray you’re a burden-bearer for someone else.
Monday, April 06, 2015
Healthy Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18-26)
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:18-26
A healthy body is one whose parts work together just as God intended. Eyes, ears, hands, feet. All working together so the entire body can function as it should. When one “member” doesn’t work correctly, the rest of the “members” often have to compensate. For example, when one is blind, his or her other senses often become more acute.
And so it is with the body of Christ.
Each member works together in order for the entire body to be healthy. Yet, just with the human body, some members seem “less” than others. We don’t think much about our big toes, for example. We don’t think they’re nearly as important as our ears, for instance. And yet, if you’ve ever had a broken toe, you know how in inhibits your ability to walk well.
We sometimes think the same of our positions in the body of Christ. I’m not a preacher, you say. I just greet people once a month. But think about it: If you’re the first person someone visiting your church sees, you can have a tremendous impact on how they view your church … and even how they view Christians, in general.
We are all important in God’s eyes. We have value. Tremendous value. And if we all work together, doing exactly what God called us to do, then Christ’s body will be healthy.
And if His body is healthy, made up of healthy members doing what they’ve been called to do, then this world will be impacted positively for Christ.
So, I guess my question is: How healthy are you? Are you strong, doing what you’ve been called to do? Or do you need a checkup?
A healthy body is one whose parts work together just as God intended. Eyes, ears, hands, feet. All working together so the entire body can function as it should. When one “member” doesn’t work correctly, the rest of the “members” often have to compensate. For example, when one is blind, his or her other senses often become more acute.
And so it is with the body of Christ.
Each member works together in order for the entire body to be healthy. Yet, just with the human body, some members seem “less” than others. We don’t think much about our big toes, for example. We don’t think they’re nearly as important as our ears, for instance. And yet, if you’ve ever had a broken toe, you know how in inhibits your ability to walk well.
We sometimes think the same of our positions in the body of Christ. I’m not a preacher, you say. I just greet people once a month. But think about it: If you’re the first person someone visiting your church sees, you can have a tremendous impact on how they view your church … and even how they view Christians, in general.
We are all important in God’s eyes. We have value. Tremendous value. And if we all work together, doing exactly what God called us to do, then Christ’s body will be healthy.
And if His body is healthy, made up of healthy members doing what they’ve been called to do, then this world will be impacted positively for Christ.
So, I guess my question is: How healthy are you? Are you strong, doing what you’ve been called to do? Or do you need a checkup?
Friday, April 03, 2015
We Need Each Other (1 Corinthians 12:14-17)
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:14-17
Those of us who follow Christ are part of His body, His church. And each of us has been gifted uniquely to serve Him. Each of us is important as God uses us to build His kingdom.
Sometimes, though, we put gifts on a hierarchy, thinking that one gift is somehow better than another. We think that preachers and evangelists are more important because they’re up front. And we think that our gifts of mercy or faith just don’t rank as highly.
God’s word makes it clear: We are many parts of one body. And each part plays a very important role in God’s plan.
Preachers help us to better understand God’s word, but they need to be encouraged. And what would your local pastor do without those who have been gifted with administration?
I greatly admire those who have gifts other than mine. I do not have the gift of hospitality, but I’m exceedingly grateful to those who do. So often, I’m blessed to speak at events where the room is decorated beautifully and the ambiance is welcoming—and that’s because women who are truly gifted have put their heart and souls into making the event a wonderful experience.
Just as the body needs each and every part, we need each other.
Those of us who follow Christ are part of His body, His church. And each of us has been gifted uniquely to serve Him. Each of us is important as God uses us to build His kingdom.
Sometimes, though, we put gifts on a hierarchy, thinking that one gift is somehow better than another. We think that preachers and evangelists are more important because they’re up front. And we think that our gifts of mercy or faith just don’t rank as highly.
God’s word makes it clear: We are many parts of one body. And each part plays a very important role in God’s plan.
Preachers help us to better understand God’s word, but they need to be encouraged. And what would your local pastor do without those who have been gifted with administration?
I greatly admire those who have gifts other than mine. I do not have the gift of hospitality, but I’m exceedingly grateful to those who do. So often, I’m blessed to speak at events where the room is decorated beautifully and the ambiance is welcoming—and that’s because women who are truly gifted have put their heart and souls into making the event a wonderful experience.
Just as the body needs each and every part, we need each other.
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Unity (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)
Today's
scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Division amongst Christians has been an issue since the beginning of the church, and it’s heart-breaking. We who follow Christ should be examples of unity and harmony, love and compassion.
Instead, we fight over nonessentials like real wine or grape juice, or sprinkling or immersion. Hymns versus praise songs. Traditional versus contemporary. Even worse, just like in Paul’s time, we get caught up in whose pastor is better or more eloquent, or which church is bigger.
Heartbreaking.
How it must break the heart of our Lord as well. Jesus came to bring life and truth (John 14:6). He came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). He came to save us from our sins and bring eternal life (John 3:16).
We who have received such amazing gifts should be grateful and strive to live as Christ did. And that would not include divisiveness. We need to love each other. We need to help and serve each other. We need to be brothers and sisters, living only to bring glory to our Lord God.
So why isn’t this how we live?
Division amongst Christians has been an issue since the beginning of the church, and it’s heart-breaking. We who follow Christ should be examples of unity and harmony, love and compassion.
Instead, we fight over nonessentials like real wine or grape juice, or sprinkling or immersion. Hymns versus praise songs. Traditional versus contemporary. Even worse, just like in Paul’s time, we get caught up in whose pastor is better or more eloquent, or which church is bigger.
Heartbreaking.
How it must break the heart of our Lord as well. Jesus came to bring life and truth (John 14:6). He came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). He came to save us from our sins and bring eternal life (John 3:16).
We who have received such amazing gifts should be grateful and strive to live as Christ did. And that would not include divisiveness. We need to love each other. We need to help and serve each other. We need to be brothers and sisters, living only to bring glory to our Lord God.
So why isn’t this how we live?
Monday, July 28, 2014
The Great Assembly (Psalm 40:9-10)
Today's scripture: Psalm 40:9-10
One of the greatest joys I have in being a Christ-follower is that I'm part of His family. I have brothers and sisters all over the world, and I can rejoice with them when God works in and through them.
I love sharing stories of God's faithfulness. It's one of my favorite things to do. I love hearing stories of His faithfulness as well. When I'm feeling discouraged or doubtful, sometimes just hearing about how God has worked in someone else's life gives me hope.
I think this is one of the reasons God calls us to "assemble" with other believers. We certainly need to listen to God's word through the teaching of godly men and women, but it also gives us the chance to hear what God is doing.
This is also why it's important to be part of a small group. When you meet with the same group of people regularly, you share stories. You have a front-row seat to God's work. I had the greatest privilege of being part of a small group for two years. We knew each other very well. We saw God's hand through amazing blessings, and we saw His comfort through the deepest pain. Without fail, my heart was blessed when I heard of God's righteousness, faithfulness, and lovingkindness through their stories. Although the our season together has ended, and I'm now part of a new group, I keep in contact with many of my sisters ... and I still rejoice in their joys and weep in their sorrows.
We really do need to "proclaim" God's faithfulness and not "conceal" it. Through stories of God's faithfulness, our faith grows.
If you're not already in a church where you hear truth, I pray you find one. If you're not part of a small group of believers with whom you can share God's stories, again, I pray you find one.
Proclaim His truth. Share His stories. You will be blessed.
Monday, June 02, 2014
Being With "Family" (Psalm 42:4)
Today's
scripture: Psalm 42:4
I love the fact that when I find myself with a group of Christ-followers, I'm with family. Since I don't have children of my own, and my own family is spread across the country, I find myself seeking others to be my "family."
I've found family at church ("... the house of God") and in small groups. I've found family at one of my favorite places to be—LifeHouse Theater in Redlands. I've found family in pockets of believers at past jobs.
There's a reason why we're told not to neglect fellowship with other believers (I apologize: I'm having a bit of fibro brain this morning and can't remember the passage this comes from ... I think it's in Hebrews?). Being around other people who share our faith and believe in our Lord helps us to grow in our own faith.
Seeing how the Lord answers others' prayers reminds us that He always does. Hearing stories about His provision assures us He always will provide. Reading of how He's miraculously intervened in difficult situations gives us confidence that He still does miracles today.
While it is important to be in a good, Bible-teaching church home, we can find those "multitudes" that lift up "voice[s] of joy and praise" in so many places. Work. Someone's home. Even a faith-based theater.
Just find that place where you feel surrounded by the love of Jesus. Find that family.
You'll be so blessed when you do.
I love the fact that when I find myself with a group of Christ-followers, I'm with family. Since I don't have children of my own, and my own family is spread across the country, I find myself seeking others to be my "family."
I've found family at church ("... the house of God") and in small groups. I've found family at one of my favorite places to be—LifeHouse Theater in Redlands. I've found family in pockets of believers at past jobs.
There's a reason why we're told not to neglect fellowship with other believers (I apologize: I'm having a bit of fibro brain this morning and can't remember the passage this comes from ... I think it's in Hebrews?). Being around other people who share our faith and believe in our Lord helps us to grow in our own faith.
Seeing how the Lord answers others' prayers reminds us that He always does. Hearing stories about His provision assures us He always will provide. Reading of how He's miraculously intervened in difficult situations gives us confidence that He still does miracles today.
While it is important to be in a good, Bible-teaching church home, we can find those "multitudes" that lift up "voice[s] of joy and praise" in so many places. Work. Someone's home. Even a faith-based theater.
Just find that place where you feel surrounded by the love of Jesus. Find that family.
You'll be so blessed when you do.
Monday, September 02, 2013
In Harmony (John 17:22-26)
Today's scripture: John 17:22-26
Unity. This is an ongoing theme throughout Jesus' prayer. Unity is defined as "the quality of state of not being multiple: oneness" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Another definition is "a quality of being make one: unification." My favorite, though, is "a condition of harmony: accord."
I love harmonies. I love singing harmonies. I love listening to choral music with eight-part harmony that blends together so beautifully, it sounds like one voice.
We who follow Christ are to live in unity with each other. We are to be harmonious. Jesus is one with the Father. They are inseparable parts of a whole. To tear one part out would be to destroy the whole.
It should be the same with us. We should be so intricately woven together that to lose one part would be detrimental to the whole.
I was listening recently to Rick Warren talk about how his small group rallied around him after the death of his son earlier this year. As soon as they heard, they surrounded him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They even spent the night at his house that first night.
That's unity. Do you have a group of fellow believers with whom you are that unified? We all need to be part of something like this. We need to be in harmony with the body of Christ as a whole, but also with a small group of people that will embrace us, hold us accountable, convict us, encourage us.
Just as the Father and Son are in perfect harmony, so too should we be.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Jesus' Prayer (John 17:1-12)
Today's scripture: John 17:1-12
Back to John ...
Today begins a three-day meditation on a prayer of Jesus; indeed, it was His final prayer before the cross. These words should offer tremendous encouragement for us because, not only was He praying for His disciples, but He was also praying for us (see John 17:20, which we'll look at tomorrow).
In today's verses, Jesus prayed for several things. He prayed that the Father would glorify Him and that He would give eternal life. I love the definition of "eternal life" here: "that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." If we know God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we will have eternal life. Eternal life begins the moment we commit our lives to Jesus!
Jesus also prayed that those who followed Him would "truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me." Those of us who have committed our lives to Him understand that He is the Son of God, sent by the Father to provide salvation from our sins.
Then comes the most encouraging thing we see today: Jesus knew He would soon be leaving earth and ascending to heaven. He knew His disciples would be alone, so He earnestly prayed, "... keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are."
Jesus no longer walks the earth in human form, but we are not alone. We are being "kept" in the name of the Father. He protects us and cares for us. But we're also not alone because we're part of God's family. We are surrounded by brothers and sisters with whom we can pray, study God's words, and learn from. It's so very important to have Christ-following, Bible-believing friends, and one of the reasons is that we need to be guarded from the wiles of the enemy.
Come back tomorrow because we're going to continue looking at Jesus' prayer—for you!
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