Category: Sister Judy (Page 227 of 271)

Devotions from James Smith’s book, the Good and Beautiful Community

Worship is more than a private matter meant just to inspire the individual and to create an emotional sensation. It is bigger than the person, and while inspiration is a by- product of worship it is not the central aim. Worship is a communal activity that is meant to instruct us. We tell our stories and find our life in the presence of other followers of Christ. It is not a matter of going to church to be entertained but to be trained. We hear the true story of who He is and what our lives are about. Worship is an invitation, not an obligation, from our gracious God who desires that we come and enjoy him.  God does not need our worship but we need to worship. When we worship we are aligned with the truth, and we respond to the Father’s love. “Worship is not about the quality of the performance but the heart of those who worship.”  May we moved , not by the aesthetic performance, but by the pulsing love of God.

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

The good and beautiful community is not based on the prosperity gospel or the poverty gospel, but the gospel of abundance. We have what we need when we need it and it is enough. We look at our assets in a new light and want to share in ways that God leads. This includes not only our money, but our time, our gifts, our abilities etc. We need to be reminded again and again the joys of giving.  This may mean creating a margin in order to give out, as we can’t give what we do not have. As we are frugal we will have more to give. “Frugality means buying what we need, but not necessarily what we want.”  It doesn’t mean cheap or stingy but staying within the bounds of what is necessary for the kind of life to which God has led us. It’s important that our faith find expression in our actions.  As we are grateful and thankful for what we have been given, we will naturally give of our time and treasures to others in need. God loves a cheerful giver! The author’s church makes it a policy to give 10% of their income to be used directly to those in need, regardless if they go to their church. So many lives have been touched and changed as a result and their congregation is blessed in return.  Let us not miss opportunities to give in the ways the Lord may direct each of us… even giving time to encourage another or and just listening is a gift!

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

The good and beautiful community is prevented from generosity by the false narrative that: what I have is mine to use for my own pleasure. Mine. Mine. Mine! This makes us feel entitled and teaches us that what we possess, money, time or abilities, are ours to use for our own gain and not for the benefit of others. We may think we deserve it and earned it, so we can use it any way we feel like it. We get to choose because our possessions are ours. The true narrative is” What appears to be mine is really God’s.  Nothing we have is really ours. It is all a gift from God. He has given us each a little kingdom and he wants us to be stewards of it and use our body, talents, and money to produce good things,

What is ours is really God’s and we need to ask Him how we can use the gifts He has given us.

Generosity is other-centered and greed is self-centered. Let us not think of ourselves first but be kingdom focused.  Then we can be conduits of His connecting what we have with those in need.

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

Another false narrative that prevents us from being generous is: If I give it away, I have less. This assumes that what we give away and share is now lost and that now it contributes to my lack. But the true narrative is that if we all share we all have enough. Like the children of Israel, they gathered an omer of manna which was exactly what they needed daily and all had enough. We have a tendency to hoard. Why do we consume far more than we need? Do we not believe there will be enough for us? Hunger experts tell us there would be enough food for everyone on the planet to end world hunger if we each took our fair share. How sad we can spend hundreds of dollars on dieting when for $3 a day we could prevent a child from dying of hunger. May we be led by the Spirit to give where He directs and buy what we need. There is enough for all if we practiced this.

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community.

The good and beautiful community is a generous one but sometimes we miss out because we hold false narratives. One such narrative is “God helps those who help themselves”. That is not Biblical but said by Ben Franklin who was a deist. This narrative works against generosity, and somehow it seems to get us off the hook to help someone else in need.  It is not that God helps only those who pull themselves up and get their act together and work hard.  In fact we are told in scripture not to judge those in dire straights. Even if they have bad habits and are lazy or make bad decisions, they may not always be responsible for their situation. What makes us think that our good condition is tied to our good works and that we deserve it? The truth is that God helps those who cannot help themselves.  We are all broken and helpless and we are all in need. We may work hard to earn a living and buy a home but we are still helpless. We must rely on the mercy of God every moment and He is so gracious to us.

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

The Good and Beautiful Community is not afraid to hold us accountable. To hold someone accountable is not easy and we must do it with discernment.  In I Thess. 5:14 it says “We urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.”  To admonish means to warn, to watch out for and to give guidance to another. When we open our lives to others, we expect they will tell give us a word of warning if we need it. But with love!  The author himself gave an example when he took on too many speaking engagements and his small group stepped in and told him he needed to cut back. We all need someone to watch out for us and also to encourage us when we lose sight or strength, when we fail or are disappointed etc. Encouragement is an important part of accountability. So often we may think of accountability as something negative but has to do with encouragement as well as keeping high expectations. We do need other Christians in our lives who are convinced that we can do great things, applauding us when we succeed or pulling us up if we fail. May we stand with each other in prayer and be encouraged, challenged, and accountable!

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

In the good and beautiful community we are asked to reflect the glory that is ours as His children. This involves encouraging one another, admonishing and watching over one another in love. Also to become involved in specific activities on a regular basis that are growth-producing….like time alone with God, to making friends outside our comfort zone, to meeting regularly with an encouragement partner etc. The Spirit will help us and lead us to use our unique abilities and gifts to bless others. As we offer our gifts and resources to help others, this is a natural outflow, not a law. We are being given opportunities to live out our calling and we can do so with joy and excitement. Paul says, “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Heb. 10:24-25   Let us think of how we can encourage others to love and good deeds and be close to others who do the same for us.

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

To be both a comforting and challenging community at the same time we must remind each other of who we are, show each other what we can be, and have the courage to hold each other accountable.

Our identity is one who is loved, forgiven, cleansed, and destined for eternity. As we gather in His name we are set apart from worldly ways to be a light to the world.  In a sense we are already holy and yet we’re still learning how to be holy. We are holy yet broken, and yet a carrier of His presence and power. Some churches stress holiness in terms of behavior and get the focus on rules and not on Him. Others may not hear the message of holiness. So we need a balanced awareness that we are holy and we are broken. The author tells about a church called Claypot Church that breaks a clay jar and gives each person a piece. When the jar is reassembled it is not perfect as no church is but it contains the treasure, which is Christ.  His light can shine out of our brokenness, when we have allowed Him to heal and restore us.  Let us remind each other of who we are!!

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community

Sometimes we may think that the community exists to serve me and my needs, and that they should not tell me what to do. We live in a consumer culture and it leads us to believe we are entitled to have all of our needs met. Narcissism is present in our churches as well, and when we church shop we want one that makes us feel comfortable…one with low expectations of us as participants. But the good and beautiful community wants more… it exists to shape and guide our souls, to provide encouragement and accountability that we need. Isn’t it better to have a community that is not afraid to ask us to make a commitment to our own spiritual growth and service to others? Who offers us a pattern of transformation?  One who challenges us to become who we already are? ( One in whom Christ dwells)   Who watches over us with love, offering comfort but also warning so we can grow in Christlikeness?

As we gather together to worship we are being shaped into a people being transformed by God and being sent out to change the world.  When we leave worship as all new people, we are inspired by our connection to one another and the old old story to bring the aroma of Christ to the world.  Isn’t that awesome?

Devotions based on James Smith book. The Good and Beautiful Community

If we have been harmed greatly it may seem impossible for us to forgive that person. We may not be in the place where we want to forgive, even when we know we should.  The community can help in such situations and can stand with us in fellowship under the cross and offer prayers.  One way the author suggests is choosing a friend who would consider setting aside time each day to pray for that person and also for us, asking God to deepen our awareness of our own forgiveness. Knowing someone else is taking on the burden is freeing in itself.
Another way if we are at the point that we are ready to forgive that person ourselves, it may be helpful to reflect on scriptures that proclaim our own forgiveness like II Cor. 5:17-19. As we are able to pray for the person we are trying to forgive, it helps us get a new awareness of him and his situation. “People who hurt others are people who are themselves hurting because they have been hurt.”  God often gives us insight as to struggles they are going through.

Another way is to reflect on the truths of Jesus sacrifice for us, as we participate in communion at our church.  The center of the Lord’s Supper is the reminder that He has reconciled the world to Himself and He is renarrating our lives. This meal is a tangible experience of that. May we go to communion with new eyes as we participate in this wonderful means of grace.