There is much talk in the church and Body of Christ these days about community. Different churches do different things, different people need different amounts of interaction and relationship – but as we draw nearer to the Father and His Word, what does He say to us about community? This passage in Hebrews is such a beautiful build up to community because it gives us perspective. Community among the body doesn’t just happen. It doesn’t just start. It isn’t the beginning of our faith and it isn’t the fulfillment of it, so what role does it play in us walking closer to the Lord?
Let’s start with our identity. Who we are and Whose we are. As women, we are no good in community if we haven’t solidified our place with the Lord. We have confidence to enter the holiest of places because of the blood of Jesus. When our Father sees us, He sees the Son. When we see ourselves, we should see the Son. When we look at other believers around us in our rhythms of life, we should see the Son. Just like the picture of worshippers ascending into Jerusalem to draw near to the Lord, I think this passage gives us a beautiful picture of how we walk closer to the Father and one another in community. And it all starts with identity. Who are we? We are the redeemed of the Lord. The daughters of the Father who sent His Son to pay the ultimate price to be our High Priest.
After that is established, we take our next step. We hold fast to the confession of hope without wavering. We don’t wake and go about our day as lost people who have no hope and no future. We don’t descend upon the world asking for answers or seeking peace. He has given it. Namely, He’s given us Himself and the promise that He’ll return. We move forward in that assurance.
And with that, we take our next step. Toward community. Toward one another. We genuinely consider and ponder and pray about how to stir one another, build up one another, love one another. We don’t just assume that relationships will honor the Lord – we set our sight on walking together, with our identity and hope solidified. In grace, in truth, in love, in expectation, we walk forward day after day, growing together and growing closer to Him.
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49 thoughts on "community"
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I always think “I wish I had a better community of believers.” But in reality, community is first and foremost with Jesus & me.
I've been reading Love Not The World by Watchman Nee. The post today reminded me of his chapter on mutual refreshing. The chapter starts out highlighting the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet and suggests that it isn't merely an example of servant leadership, but an illustration of the importance of ministering refreshment to one another. The idea is that we must live in the world (being in the world and not of it), and, since we are in contact with it and the things of it on a daily basis, there is often a sort of residue, or layer of dust, that can collect and it can make it hard to connect with the Lord in prayer or worship right away. It often takes a bit to engage. The dust isn't sin…just a sort of tarnish from being in contact with the world system.
Our job as a community, as brothers and sisters in Christ, is to wash one another's feet-to help one another brush off that layer of dust-to minister refreshment to one another. This comes easily when we are first in communion with the Lord, which fills us up so that He can overflow and encourage the brothers and sisters that we come across throughout the day and vice versa. And encouraging word. A prayer. A hug. A handshake. It can be that simple.
I love when the Lord "links" what I've been reading from different "sources." He knows what it takes to get my attention. REPETITION.
Psalm 120:1 I was glad to serve but I allowed my excitement to be dwindled away by tasks. God I thank you for re igniting my faith! Come in with love and joy! FOR WHO HE IS HE DESERVES IT ALL! HEBREWS 10:25 He is coming back, now it’s time to play “team” ball be active be loving be Christ wake with hope peace! Wow!
Hebrews 10:22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water (NLT).
How awesome that we can just enter into God's presence like a long awaited daughter coming home for a visit– full of His love for us and our love for Him, confident in who we are because we belong to HIM, our heavenly father, our comforter and protector!
Victoria, Thank you for responding! :)
I’ve wondered if maybe I AM supposed to do something like that!? But, being such a “newbie” I don’t really think I’m qualified to do much- I’m still learning! They have a bible study in someone’s home, but I don’t know anyone…as it’s been said on here it can be hard to break the ice… but nothing ventured, nothing gained- right? I’ll have to put myself out there tomorrow and TRY.. ;)
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 NLT
It's cliche but I think of a saying my youth pastor used to pull out ALL the time…"God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called!" Just remember that you are relying on His strength and wisdom, and not your own. Because the latter is doomed to failure while the first can't help but prosper!
"All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—make their pilgrimage here." Psalms 122:4
In our age of the internet this is so exciting to think about…we can make a pilgrimage together across countries, time zones, different languages. Just as God used the Roman Empire's roads and religious persecution to spread the Gospel like dandelion seeds on the weed, so He is using the internet now is miraculous ways! I think of the friendships I have from people I would never have met if it hadn't been for this kooky thing called the web.
It also reminds me that just because someone is from a different "tribe", doesn't make their relationship with Christ and their friendship to me any less. We should be celebrating our relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ instead of squabbling over the things that make us different (and dare I say it, don't affect our salvation!).
"And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galations 3:27-28
Father God, give me a spirit of love with those I am walking this journey with. Don't let me fall into the trap of just surface relationships with my sisters and brothers. Help us all to be challenging each other in our walk with Christ!
Is there still a link up to post what we have read for the week?
Maria, you are sooo right!! I pray we all take that second to step back and not let any toxic words enter our thoughts, let alone pass our lips!
Love, Love, LOVE one another! We are in this TOGETHER!!
As Jesus girls, we need community of like-minded believers not only to encourage us but to hold us accountable. To steer us back into the right path if we venture off. So thankful for the women that God has surrounded me. Even though we are in different parts of the country, we are connected by one Savior.
I see the word peace running through this Psalm (vv 6,7,8). As a community, we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The bible is centered around that little nation in the middle East. As a result the enemy has been in full assault against that country since it's inception.
The Psalmist prayed for peace first for the city,
…then within the walls of the city,
…then within the palaces,
…then just within.
It also works the other way, if we have peace within ourselves, there would be peace within the walls of our homes, then peace within our communities, in our country and the world. That's the ideal. How do we get that peace within? By having Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
The world craves for peace. And it tries to fill that void with other things. But nothing ever satisfies. (The bible says that in the last days someone will come offering "peace" to Israel and they will take it. But that is false peace because after three years, the anti-Christ will renege on that promise (Daniel 9:27). That is the beginning of the Great Tribulation.)
True peace can only happen when Jesus, our Prince of Peace resides in our hearts. No other substitute will do.
This is so important for us sisters! Too many times I see and hear woman dragging other woman down! We should be encouraging, lifting each other up in the name of Jesus! We can get so catty, us woman. And start judging, comparing, gossiping. These versus need to be read over and over and acted out in our community!
These passages have been so great. They are so full of hope, and that’s exactly what I need right now. My husband lost his job Thursday and it’s such a scary place to be. We have four kids between 1 and 6 years old. I’ve been praying to trust God more. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind! But what else can I do? I have hope, and I’m feeling a little more at peace today.
Rachel, I will be praying for you and your family!
Rachel. I'm praying for you right now. May God's peace fill
You up just as you assure your small children that you and
Their daddy will take care of their needs, your Daddy in
Heaven will assure you as well. Doors will open so I am
Praying that wisdom from God will show you when and
How best to enter them. Your sister in Christ
Since I am new in my walk with the Lord, I’m trying to find a home church. I have been attending an extremely small, newer church that I do enjoy- yet there really isn’t much to “do”. They are struggling to begin ministries and are renting space for services on Sundays. I’d really like to be more hands on and involved! So is a bigger church the answer? On the HUGE upside: my troubled, autistic son LIKES this church…do I just ride it out, wait and see if opportunities present themselves? Hmm…
Again, that’s why I’m so thankful for SRT! This is “my” community, who has seen me thru so much in such a short time. I can’t even imagine starting my days any other way! Many verses spoke to me today, but these words from the devo sums it up-
“Who are we? We are the redeemed of the Lord.
In grace, in truth, in love, in expectation, we walk
forward day after day, growing TOGETHER
and growing closer to Him.”
Perfect.
God Bless all of you Ladies today! :)
Ellen, I struggled with this for YEARS. I prayed to God for a community but it just wasn't happening. I was confused because it wasn't a bad desire, in fact it was something we are supposed to want. For my situation, it came down to 2 things. 1-I had to trust God's timing-the community I ended up falling into couldn't have happened before it did. And 2-I had to be active! Sometimes when we want community, we have to be the ones to start it. It is so much easier to have a community that we can jump into but sometimes we have to be the ones who are calling other people, setting up things to do, etc.
love this! i hope that i see the face of Jesus in everyone i meet today, and that everyone i meet, sees the face of Jesus in me:)
i am so grateful for the community of the universal, catholic church (with a small 'c'), because i love knowing i am part of a community of Christians all over the world who share the same convictions, that Jesus is our Lord's only Son and he was sent to pay the price for our sins and give us the gift of redemption.
i am also grateful to be part of the Catholic church (with a big 'C'). i love being able to go into a church anywhere in the world and know that the traditions, beliefs, everything i hold to be true is also held by that group of people. Mass is the same no matter where you are. this gave me so much peace many times when i was struggling when i was traveling alone. even if you don't speak the language, you feel part of an instant community. (don't get me wrong, you need to find the right parish for you if you want to be able to sustain community, because personalities do matter, but it's nice to know that if you need it, it's there)
i am thankful for this SRT community, because having a group of women to share in God's truth with is one of the most refreshing, renewing experiences i've had in a long time. it is so good to have other women to lift each other up and push ourselves closer to God, because as it says in hebrews 1: 24, "let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good." we need community to make us better, and to bring us into closer relationship with the Lord. and isn't that a wonderful thing, that we can't possibly do it alone? :)
Your comment about being a part of that Catholic church really struck me today. I recently moved and have had to start the search for a church all over again. I have a good friend who is Catholic and I've envied her when we've traveled that she can always easily find a church when on the good. It's made me wish that I was part of a church like that.
i do love that. the liturgy of our Mass really comforts me. that being said, i know what you're going through too…my husband and i go to weekly Mass, but it will probably be a while before we find a parish (individual church) that feels like a "fit" to us (we've moved around a lot too). some feel more right than others, as it should be, everyone is different and needs a different type of community. not liking a parish is never enough to bring me away from my faith, but finding the right one is such an amazing feeling.
i'll say a quick prayer that God leads you to the right one. (your comment made me smile, btw. thank you!)
So convicting…
Oh Rhonda I’m right there with you. The last church I was deeply involved with chewed me up and spit me out. My children were wounded during a very vulnerable time (high school) and have since left the faith. My then husband was an elder and the worship leader. At the very time I had just discovered he had a gay double life he got into conflict with one of the elders and was dismissed as worship leader and elder. This was not connected to what I had just learned. The entire family started to be shunned. It was awful. We finally left the church. My support system vanished at a time when I desperately needed it. When I tried to reach out to a couple of women I was told I was gossiping.
As I finally realized divorce was inevitable I was church shopping and couldn’t find a place that felt like home. Plus now I was single and in my 50s. I now have a church I sometimes attend but haven’t had the guts to get involved. I just sort of participate on the sidelines. I never want to be overcommitted to a church again — five and six days a week. That’s not healthy either, I don’t think. So this is as close to community as I have right now. I’m grateful for it.
Linda, I feeeeeeeel you! I love the church and God's people. But it hasn't always been easy. I have just re-emerged on the church scene after a long, intermittent hiatus. For similar reasons as yours. I was in a leadership position (worship leader), my then-husband struggled with drug addiction, divorce happened and lots of very sad and painful things followed.
I believe that many people in the church don't know what to do with hurt that is so heavy. Many don't know what to do or say…how to support…and often the easiest thing for humans to do is avoid the person and to talk among themselves because they, too, are seeking a way to be comforted and make sense of it all.
Sadly, the person whom is affected the most profoundly, the spouse, is left to pick up the pieces alone. Thank God that He promises never to leave us high and dry and without a Comforter. He brought me through some of the loneliest times when I didn't have any answers. When walking into a church was so painful. When anger was a familiar companion. It was only a promise…that He would never leave me truly alone that brought me through. I'm walking with you on this one sister! May God bless you and keep you. Tears flowing as I type…
LindaG I'm so sorry I accidently hit dislike while holding my iPad :// Must be more careful. Your message spoke loudly to me and I am sad for your history but do find hope that I'm not alone. This too is my community and I pray every night and every morning for Our Lord to change me and mold me into the woman of Christ He wants me to be. Those who have never experienced this loneliness have a hard time identifying with this kind of spiritual detatchment. I too love this community and feel this maybe is a gift of a stepping stone.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)
This verse struck a chord this morning. Isn’t encouraging one another what the Body of Christ is all about? I guess it struck a chord because I believe we sometimes forget this; I know I do.
We become so consumed with our own stuff that we forget we are not the ONLY ONE!
I have neglected my brothers and sisters; for this I am truly sorry. I have been so caught up in my own selfish needs and wants that I have not taken the time to consider their needs and wants.
Father I will rejoice to enter into Your presence. Help me to focus first on You and then on how I can encourage and help others. I know You will take care of my needs as You have promised. Amen.
When our Father sees us, He sees the Son. When we see ourselves, we should see the Son. When we look at other believers around us in our rhythms of life, we should see the Son. This part resonated with me so much as I see it did with all of you. Lord, help me see the Son as I see my brothers and sisters.
Sarah, I do the same thing when it comes to letting the emotions of others dictate my own. All of you expressed so well thoughts on today that I cannot add anything.
I do have a praise. Regarding community. It used to be going to church seemed like a drudgery, I am so tired from the week, but I have to do this. Now I look forward to it. Also, I was not going to go a women’s rally next Saturday because I’d have to get up at 6 and work until 7 p.m. the night before. I decided I needed to go. i was sure I’d have to fight my own physical limitations and have to bite my lip to keep from complaining and dreading it. But to my surprise, outhough I shouldn’t be) God has helped me, andso far,I am so looking forward to it! I can’t wait! Please pray this continues! Usually,Iwould thinking about the crowds, etc. that could be irritating. Pray I can really benefit and be blessed and not let that stuff get to me! Havea blessed day!
Psalm 122:1 is one of my favorite verses. My husband and I are worship leaders, and, even though church is work for us, I love to go to the Lord's house and worship him. Community is more of a struggle for me. I am a private person, and I struggle with trusting people. I'm a great listener, but not a great sharer. I have been craving community as I have gotten older. I know I should have it, and I want it, but it scares me a little.
I understand the importance of community but struggle greatly with putting myself out there. To many hurts of the past. I am working on letting go and embracing new found hope in our Lord that he will lead me exactly where I need to be. Reading all your post is so very helpful to my every day struggle to just put one foot in front of the other. Praise God for leading me to SRT!
This is so true Rhonda! We can even be heavily "involved" in a community but hiding ourselves because we fear putting ourselves out there. Real, deep community is scary because we have to open ourselves up to others and they can hurt us badly. We can never control others response to us but we can trust God working through them and find assurance from Him that He has our best interests! Which also says a lot about our responsibility to others in community, we can control our response to others and make sure that love is at the root of all our responses.
But when true community comes…yes it was scary but you find a group of believers spurring each other on in their faith and upholding each other in their dark places…that is a little bit of heaven on earth and so worth the battle to have that with each other!
Thank you for your heartfelt reply. It really means much to receive your encouragement! I really like that true community is heaven on each :) that is what I long for. Thank you.
" As women, we are no good in community if we haven’t solidified our place with The Lord." Reminded me of a devotion from John Piper where he said that "God is most glorified in YOU when YOU are most SATISFIED in HIM!" When we realize we are a child of the King and we were sent here on the King's business–it's not all about ME– then our whole attitude toward community really does change. We take on the role of servanthood. And it is a good thing! We were made for His glory and 1 Corinthians 10:31 says to "…do all for the glory of God."
So thankful for these reminders to get out there and actually live out our faith by serving one another in love.
I am so grateful to the founders of SRT and ultimately the Lord for amassing this community of women. Every day my breath is taken away by the beauty, friendship, compassion and ultimately the Spirit at work in not only this group, but all who this community is touching through each of you who is not afraid to share the gospel in your lives. Let us continue to "spur one another toward love". Today I praise Him for this community and ask that he blesses each of you!
Today’s reading reminded of a monthly gathering I attend called “Fight Night” where a large group of women meet, fighting for each other, fighting for our faith, to build each other up instead of tearing each other apart. Sometimes gathering with women is scary but this is a place to find encouragement while fighting for a relentless faith. I thought of this while I was reading Hebrews 10:24-25
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works, and let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another.”
This is beautiful to me. We all gather for the same purpose, to praise our Lord and Savior! Lets build each other up and just love one another.
Here is the link to The Fearless Experiment blog that I love.
http://fearlessexperiment.com/
One of the things I found special about today’s reading is the joy that true godly community should bring. If its a chore and drudgery to go to church, we must be doing something wrong.
Or maybe we aren't at the right church for us. We need to pray for the community we are meant to have!
Autumn Dawn Leader: Thank you for creating such beautiful music/videos with these songs of ascent. Your songs have been a wonderful complement to the devotions. I feel as if I am on the journey with them – transported to a different place of understanding. To God be the Glory!
Good morning sisters! Sooo thankful for another day. Thank u to Jesusgirl71, EllenMR, and Amykelly213 its nice to be missed. I missed communicating with y’all. For somereason I became locked out of uversion. I went back and completed our last devotion but there’s nothing like sharing.
This morning’s devotion is so on point for me. So often we arrive into a place, a situation, a relationship, community, not knowing who we are, or who’s we are. The danger in this is we begin to allow ourselves to be identified by those things. We find ourselves seeking validation thru people identifying with circumstances. Up today down tomorrow. As we, I, strive to receive our Idenity in Christ the walk in community will be deliberate and purposeful. Empowering, uplifiting,comforting, and loving its citizens. As our devotion reminded we are not our circumstances, we have HOPE.
In Christ we stand we are present because He commands us to be. This is my desire, my goal.
As I read Ps 122 vs 6,7 stood out for me. When I think about Jerusealum I thought of the church. I
pray for peace and prosperity within the walls of God’s house.
God bless you ladies have a glorious day.
Your reflection is spot on. So many times I find myself to be like a rollarcoaster. I start out the day joyfull and encouraged. But then I let the attitudes and emotions of those around me influence and shape my thoughts and emotions. If they are are angry and frustrated than I become angry and frustrated. If they are sad then I become sad.
Father I am yours! I have been redeamed through your son! Please help me to live intentionally today. Do not let me be swayed by my circumstance and those around me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you and my identity in you. When I am met with discouraged people, help me to be encoraging and uplifting to them. Father I trust you. My hope is in you and not in this world. Amen.
Today's devotional is beautifully written. God, bless us all today and bring us a clearer picture of our true identity, in You. Solidify our hope, in You. Tighten our community, focused on lifting each other up, to praise You. I hope you all have the most beautiful Saturday!
We are the redeemed of The Lord. Individually, collectively, moving toward the heights, not in rigid ranks or mindless obedience…we are the redeemed of The Lord. We have the mind of Christ. We are his body, our upward journey is fluid, each of us different, but together. As Sue said, every day as we climb, "stirring, building and loving my community". Every day coming closer to full realization of what being the redeemed of The Lord really means.
Also, as Songmistress reminds us, do not fail to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
As I woke up this morning, I realize how perfect these passages are for where I stand today. I am in the midst of community, with my church sisters on retreat. There is peace and expectation together as one, as we are mindful of each other and our journey in Christ. The Lords perfect planning once again amazes me. This small pilgrimmage is opening my faith and my eyes, and I pray that God will allow me to stir, build up & love the other women here who also come for community. The sense of worship in this place,is powerful and sweet, and my love for our Savior is overflowing.
Autumn Dawn, your song of peace, extended to Jersalem, also extended to my Michigan retreat on this meditative morning with God. Thank you :)
I am praying that I that I will choose to go about each day stirring, building and loving " my community" so we may see and know Christ our savior!"
Oh Lord help me to remember that i can enter the holiest of holiest by the precious blood of Jesus Christ everyday. And to stir up love among each other, and not to neglect our assembling with the brethrens. Thank you Lord for such liberty.
Now, it's later, and here's the promised video for Psalm 122. I found setting the whole Psalm to music just impossible at this time. As close as I feel to the Psalmist David, and interpreting his unheard music just from his words, I had to limit myself, in this particular song-prayer, to verse 6 and praying for the peace of Jerusalem… but, I wanted to sing it in the original Hebrew…which I have done. So, I have read the Psalm, recording it as spoken word, with the song-prayer (sung in Hebrew) in the background. As I said in my post above, I really appreciate how today's devotion here puts community in the proper perspective and, for applying this Psalm to our lives, what has been said is, well, just what needs to be said. But, when I was meditating on the Psalm to put it to music, it was this prayer for Jerusalem, the holy city, and God's people Israel, that really struck me. And, so, sisters, I give you: Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHIeCVVz-eA Watch, listen, be blessed and, please, join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem. :)
Another beautiful song! Thanks so much for blessing us with these! :)
I love this putting community into perspective. Getting the order right -putting first things first – is very important; we really have nothing to offer to one another in community (other than more dysfunction, that is) until we (really) see ourselves as we are in Christ (our true identity). I know, I’m forever trying to get people to see me as the talented singer/songwriter with something to offer. When people don’t receive me the way I want them to, I get frustrated extremely quickly with community. I withdraw. But, when I’m seeing myself in Christ, as part of the BODY of Christ (and, therefore, needed), I’m much better at making the effort to fellowship…and contribute.
I do have a video for today’s song of ascent… but, I’m posting from my phone at the moment. I’ll post it later from my computer. :-)
“When our Father sees us, He sees the Son. When we see ourselves, we should see the Son. When we look at other believers around us in our rhythms of life, we should see the Son.” *this! God has been challenging me on this so often recently, especially as I read Bonhoeffers writings on ‘life together’ (incredible book on community btw!) What right do I have to look at others in my community without the grace I wish they would look at me with? They are also human, also washed clean and redeemed and also trying to live their best possible lives, however the slippery slope into letting bitterness about misunderstandings or other fleshy nonsense into my heart, and letting it take root there and twist my thinking, my moods, and even my relationship with church or God is far too easy! Praise God that we’re called to look at Him, not at each other!