1 John 2:9 - We are family

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[a] is still in the darkness.
1 John 2:9

Footnotes: 1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.

In general, I don't think we should hate anyone, but this passage stresses the importance of not hating our brothers and sisters. This is stressed several times in the book of 1 John. So, who are our brothers and sisters? In the footnote above, it refers to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family. As Christians, we have a responsibility to each other. We are a family. We may disagree, even on points of doctrine, but we must want the best for each other and pray for each other. We are linked by the most fundamental of beliefs: God is real and he sent his son to die for our sins. This core belief supersedes all other aspects of our human existence. If we can not love each other, how can we love non-believers and share God's love with them? And why would they want to be a part of a family who can not exist in harmony?

Lord, Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family. Please help us to love each other. Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:22 - Weaker vs. stronger parts of the body

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

The other day I watched a movie/documentary about a group on the "Camino de Santiago" which is a pilgrimage/walk through Spain ending at the possible site of the grave of James the Apostle. The scene from this movie which is stuck in my head is when the group realizes they all have to start walking together. Up to this point, the stronger people would just walk on at their comfortable pace and leave the weaker walkers behind. When they all started walking together, they realized it made them all stronger. It was easier for the struggling walkers to keep up and a harder for the stronger walkers to slow their pace and help their weaker brothers. The work evened out. This stronger realized they needed the weaker to make this walk more meaningful.

Lord, thank you for making each of us an important part of your body. Please help us to respect others in your body work together. Amen.

1 Corinthians 11:28 -The Lord's Supper

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

What is the Lord's Supper? It is a fellowship meal, not in the "potluck" sense, but it is a common "meal", shared by brothers and sisters in Christ in his remembrance. A time to examine ourselves and realize that we are all equal at the foot of the cross. In this passage the Corinthian church apparently had it wrong. They were partaking in a "potluck" meal and calling it the Lord's Supper, and they weren't even eating all together, but were divided by social class.

Lord, thank you for having your son implement a time of communion between believers, Please help us to take it in a worthy manner. Amen.

Psalm 133:1 - Unity

How good and pleasant it is
     when God’s people live together in unity!

When God's people, which might be a church family or the general idea of Christians, do not get along, not only does it displease God, it makes us loose our effectiveness as a group. Why would non-Christians want to be a part of a group of people who fight and quarrel among themselves? It represents the very opposite of what we stand for; Love God, Love People.

Lord, Thank you for giving us a church family. Please help us to get along and live together in unity. Amen.

Psalm 119:58 - Study and meditation

I have sought your face with all my heart;

        be gracious to me according to your promise.

This part of Psalm 119 is about study of and meditation on the word. The word is our portion or sustenance, Through seeking his face, considering our ways and giving thanks, we turn toward his statues, obey and remember his law regardless of our circumstances, We also connect with others and enjoy the love the Lord offers. 

Lord, thank you for the benefits of seeking you. Please help us to always seek your face with all our hearts. Amen.

Psalm 5:11 - Praying for other believers

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
     let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
     that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

The first three verses of this chapter are addressing God, as in the beginning of a prayer. I especially like verse 3, "In the morning Lord, you hear my voice". The writer then laments on his enemies. The end of the chapter he concludes with prayers for others and I think this may be what is missing in my prayer life. I pray for others sometimes, but not on a regular basis. Considering others, especially other believers, and their situations and needs will help me treat people better as I interact with them.

Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers. Please let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Amen.

Romans 15:1 - The stronger person

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

I love this verse and the the ones surrounding it because I think it is a great bit of psychology. We all have the opportunity to think of ourselves as the stronger person. The stronger person is the one who is called to bear with the failings of the weak, so anytime anyone does something that bothers us, as the stronger person we need to bear with them and not focus on ourselves and our needs.

Lord, thank you for your wisdom. Help us to bear with each other. Amen

Genesis 9:22

But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

The other day while watching a movie I heard this quote:

On a team, we try to make everyone look good and don't do things that point out the mistakes of other.

I think the example of Noah youngest son's demonstrates this quote beautifully. This is an area I really need to improve in. I think I am so concerned that everyone thinks I'm doing a good job, I find it necessary to point it out when others are not. I need to be a better team player and help everyone on the team look good and do their best.

Lord, please help me to remember to be a good team player and not point out the mistakes of others. Amen.

Philippians 4:2

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

When I am having trouble with an individual sometimes I read the Psalms and gain encouragement by the passages that talk about "my enemy". But that is harder when the person is not an evil enemy but someone who you think is also a Christian. In that situation according to the verse above we need to pray to be of the same mind.

Lord, I pray that this person and I be of the same mind in you. I think we both just want to do the right thing and bring glory to your name, we are just having trouble getting along. Help us Lord. Amen