Relationships are always worth restoring! “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you … Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.” Philippians 2:1-2 (Msg) Because life is all … [Read more…]
Community requires commitment! “You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” James 3:18 (Msg) Cultivating community takes honesty. Real fellowship depends on frankness. In fact, the tunnel … [Read more…]
Life is meant to be shared! “Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace.” Colossians 3:15 (CEV) God intends for us to experience life together. The Bible calls this shared experience fellowship. “Fellowship” now usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun. … [Read more…]
You are called to belong, not just believe! “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 2:19b (LB) We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by … [Read more…]
Life is all about love! “Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.” 2 John 1:6 (NCV) Because God is love, the most important lesson he wants you to learn on earth is how to love. It … [Read more…]
You were formed for God’s family! “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” Eph. 1:5 (NLT) God wants a family, and he created you to be a part of it. The entire Bible is the … [Read more…]
God is real, no matter how you feel! “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my … [Read more…]
God wants all of you! “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” Mark 12:30 NIV God doesn’t want a part of your life. God is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time … [Read more…]
You are as close to God as you choose to be! “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” James 4:8 (NLT) Like any friendship, you must work at developing your friendship with God. It won’t happen by accident. It takes desire, time, and energy. The first building block of a deeper … [Read more…]
God wants to be your best friend! “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you … and here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me.” John 15:12-14 … [Read more…]