Call to Worship God,
to Gather Together
Don’t be destroyed by one another
Galatians 5:15
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Pondering Point
Anyone who has been in a family has heard biting words shared along the way. Even so, we don’t let such interaction to define how we relate to one another.
We want those to be the exception in our homes – and that goes for relating with God’s family as well. If this has been the case, seek forgiveness from God, from those who were hurt by your words, and from those who witnessed any harmful exchanges. Seriously!
Prayer for the Day
Father God, help us keep a tight rein on our tongues and not lash out at each other. Let our mouths be used to build others up, not tear people down.
Once I understood the importance of attachment informing character, I began to see examples all over scripture. For example, Jesus emphasizes the role of attachment (agapao) in discipleship in John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” Just to make sure the disciples understood, Jesus repeated it again using negative logic. “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching” (John 14:24). Our attachment to Jesus produces obedience. In order to fulfill the Great Commission, both Scripture and brain science emphasize that we must start by building joyful hesed attachments. We must convert to a new model of discipleship, a hesed model, where relationships are in the center of everything.
85, Wilder, Hendricks The Other Half of Church
Begin to rejoice in the Lord and your bones will flourish like an herb, your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care - all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.
~ A.B. Simpson