Community: March 27, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 27, 2014.

COMMUNITY

DEFINITION:

Group of people who live in a particular locale; a group having interests or religion in common or have the same cultural or historical heritage.

SCRIPTURE:

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We can remember our grandparents talking about the community that they lived in. Every person within miles was considered part of their community. When one was sick everyone would endeavor to help out. If another was facing a concern everyone wanted to be with them in their time of need.

Community life today has all but left us. Many people do not even know the names of their neighbors let alone show any interest for them if they are in need. This is a by-product of the “ME” generation that we live in. Everyone is concerned about self and no one else.

In chapter 5 (above), James paints a beautiful picture for us of an authentic Christian community. A community is not limited to neighbors but for most believers a community consists of people with like mind --- a love for Jesus.

James shares with us four qualities that make a Christian community of believers. They are confession, prayer, honesty and love.

As believers in Jesus we need Christian fellowship. This fellowship requires us to talk openly with fellow Christian brothers and sisters about our situations and concerns and then to pray for insight and healing, with honesty and love.

If Christians were committed to live this way then the grace of God would flow through us individually and as a family of faith. We would become a dynamic and invigorating community and the world would press its nose against the glass, trying to see what we have and desiring to have it too.

Most Christians today live in isolation cells not willing to let anyone else into their lives and not willing to let anyone see exactly who they are. You can ask someone how they are and they will answer something like, “just fine.” But they really are not just fine but have hurts and concerns that basically, they feel, no one cares about.

The real problem today, as we see it, is that most Christians do not want to share with others because in the past they have been betrayed by others who were not trustworthy. Christians need to learn to share with trust-worthy believers who will encourage them, share in their concerns and pray for them. This is how it should be among the community of those who love the Lord.

Take the time now to look for several people that you can trust because they have the same spiritual desires that you have and begin your community. Start with prayer for others and then allow God do His work.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is the first of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:3.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

PRAYER:

Help my family to find that Christian community that will serve as a support base for us and that we, in turn, can be a support base for them. Give us a renewed desire to serve others and make known the love of God that He has for each of us.