Post by Richard on Mar 19, 2007 15:41:29 GMT -5
FELLOWSHIP OF LOVE
_________________________
2 John 1-6 (NRSV)
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love.
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning--you must walk in it.
_________________________
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (NRSV)
_________________________
I belong to a weekly men's Bible study group. We meet every Tuesday morning, and over our 10 years together we have become truly "faith brothers." We have shared joys, problems, fears, hopes, and bereavement.
One recurring theme in our group has been the ongoing challenge of practicing our belief in the risen Christ in the company of non-believers that we meet and interact with every day. We often discuss how to hold fast to our own convictions in the face of aggressive non-belief and cynicism.
Walking God's way can sometimes be a lonely path. But the loneliness is transitory. The faith we develop over time through daily prayer, study of God's word, church attendance, and sharing our concerns with other believers is strong enough to sustain us when we face opposition. In our daily-living ministry, we can quietly send out positive ripples of attitude and action that will make others want what we have - personal relationship with God.
Prayer: Dear God, renew our devotion to serving you. Remind us what it means to share our joys and struggles with fellow-believers. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
There is no substitute for the fellowship and support we find in company with other believers.
-- E. H. (Tuck) Eudy (Florida, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Non-believers and cynics
_________________________
2 John 1-6 (NRSV)
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love.
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning--you must walk in it.
_________________________
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (NRSV)
_________________________
I belong to a weekly men's Bible study group. We meet every Tuesday morning, and over our 10 years together we have become truly "faith brothers." We have shared joys, problems, fears, hopes, and bereavement.
One recurring theme in our group has been the ongoing challenge of practicing our belief in the risen Christ in the company of non-believers that we meet and interact with every day. We often discuss how to hold fast to our own convictions in the face of aggressive non-belief and cynicism.
Walking God's way can sometimes be a lonely path. But the loneliness is transitory. The faith we develop over time through daily prayer, study of God's word, church attendance, and sharing our concerns with other believers is strong enough to sustain us when we face opposition. In our daily-living ministry, we can quietly send out positive ripples of attitude and action that will make others want what we have - personal relationship with God.
Prayer: Dear God, renew our devotion to serving you. Remind us what it means to share our joys and struggles with fellow-believers. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
There is no substitute for the fellowship and support we find in company with other believers.
-- E. H. (Tuck) Eudy (Florida, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Non-believers and cynics