We have never been more connected and more lonely than we are now. But God never intended us to do life alone. Grab that cup of coffee and let's start the day off on the right foot.
Your morning cup of joe with Pastor Joe: September 9, 2018
Join Pastor Joe each morning for a time of devotions. Today we start week four in the New Testament book of Ephesians. We are looking at Ephesians 2:11-22. Today we look at verses 11-13 where we look at the fact that we have been brought near through Jesus. Grab a coffee and your Bible and let's dig in!
Your morning cup of joe with Pastor Joe: September 1st, 2018
Join Pastor Joe each morning for a time of devotions. Today we conclude week two in the New Testament book of Ephesians. We are looking at Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:15-23. Today, in verses 22-23 we see that the power that raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit, is the power that exalts Jesus through the church. So, grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and let's dig in.
BELIEVE: week sixteen: Biblical Community
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47
The members of the early church did not devote themselves to evangelism—leading other folks to Christ. They devoted themselves first to each other and to God. They saw each other every day and often shared a meal together. When they gathered around the table, they ate with “glad and sincere hearts.” How did they do that? Between notes they chatted about the wonderful life they now had in Christ, and they praised God for it.
Once they finished their meal, they walked through the neighborhood streets and simply met the needs of the people around them from a heart of gratitude. Before people knew the doctrine that drove these believing neighbors, they experienced it. The result? People were added to the community of Christ every day. Evangelism resulted.
Happy and kind people are contagious. You may only be a great meal away from seeing another person come to Christ.
“I fellowship with christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the lives of others, and in the world.”
[Excerpt from Believe: 31-Day Devotional by Randy & Roxanne Frazee, pgs. 35-36.]
BELIEVE: week six: The Church
“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
What mother tells her child to chew up a pill that is meant to be swallowed? Most likely the child would promptly spit out the pill because of its bitter taste. A loving mother smashes the pill and smothers it in applesauce so the pill goes down easier. Wisdom tells her that if her child spits it out, the healing benefit will be lost.
God calls us to challenge each other to spiritual growth, but if the challenge comes without love, it’s the same as chewing a pill that’s meant to be swallowed. As a wise believer, you should surround yourself with a few trusted friends who, beyond the shadow of a doubt, love you while your spiritual temperature is normal. Whenever you begin to experience a rise in your spiritual temperature, you can give them permission to challenge you in love.
We all falter from time to time. By preemptively choosing loving believers to monitor your spiritual temperature, you ensure that the truth you have to swallow will be given to you in love.
“I believe the Church is God’s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth.”
[Excerpt from Believe: 31-Day Devotional by Randy & Rozanne Frazee, pgs. 15-16.]