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POINT TO PONDER:I am called to belong, not just believe.
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| REFLECT: How did today's reading impact you? |
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While my relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. You and I were created for community,
fashioned for fellowship, formed for a family and none of us can fulfill God's purposes by ourselves. We NEED each other.
In God's family, I'm connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity.
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"In Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5 - NIV)
"You are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's
country, and you belong in God's household with every other
christian." (Ephesians 2:19 - The Living Bible)
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Rick Warren defines Fellowship as being as committed to each other as we are to God. "Today's culture of
independent individualism has created many spiritual orphans -- "bunny believers" who hop around from one
church to another without any identity, accountability or (tbe big C word) commitment. Many believe I can
be a good Christian without joining (or in some cases even attending) a local church," but the New Testament
paints a much different picture - membership in a local, visible fellowship. Warren describes six excellent reasons to
be part of a local Church family (...sounds like on-Ramp!). Here's two that me:
- A church family identifies meas a genuine beliver- it puts me on the team ("...your love for one another will prove to the world that you are
my disciples.." John 13:35)
- A Church Family helps me develop spiritual muscle - (50 times the word "one another" describes practical ways to care for each other)
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"As each part does it's own special work; it helps the other parts grow,
so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."
(Ephesians 4:16 - New Living Translation)
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"Joining a local church family proves I am committed to my spiritual brothers and sisters in reality, not just in theory.
God wants me to love real people, not ideal people. It may seem easier to be holy when no one else is around to frustrate my
preferences, but that is a false, untested holiness. Isolation breeds deceitfulness; it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking
we are mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships.."
Who in my life is challenging me to grow on this journey?
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PRAYER:
"Gracious Father, thank You for reminding me that I belong to a body, a family. Please help me to check my attitudes
of apathy, carelessness, and pride that prevent me from committing my life to others. Please help me identify at least
one other believer who will help me to seek Your best today. Amen |
FOR MY CONSIDERATION:
What does it mean to me to BELONG? Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate my love and commitment to God's family?
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This week's Memory verse:
"... so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others." Romans 12:15 (NIV) |
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