Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community When we have been hurt deeply we may ask : Can I forgive?  Should I forgive? How do I forgive?  On our own we do not have the strength or capacity to forgive.  We may grit our teeth and try to do it in our…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community Christ within us is the bond of our unity. “Though we may differ on the outside, we are people indwelt by Christ and therefore we, who differ in externals, become one because of who we are internally.” As it says in I Cor. 10:16-17,…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community Why do we think we must always agree on every issue in the church or it is grounds for division?  The truth is we will never get everything right and our doctrines and dogmas are not prefect.  If our hearts beats in love for…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The success of a church is not in its size but in its love and service to the people of the community. The author gives an example of two churches. One was self focused and concerned about their image and what they could do…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community We often are shaped by the narratives of this world rather than His kingdom. The world is concerned with self-preservation, personal happiness, and making sure our needs are met. Even churches can be more concerned about their own success and image than focusing on…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community All of us have friends or family that we would like to share our story with that they may be drawn into the life of faith. They are watching us all the time, and our actions are communicating for good or for ill. The…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and the Beautiful Community Our lives are a witness to the world that we have something real and they want to know the reason we have hope. Some people are especially gifted at sharing their faith but we all are witnesses, even when we are not conscious…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community How do we keep a balance between spending time with God and caring for others? The author suggests spending 2 hours focused on God and 4 intentional acts for others. ( 2 by 4)  The time spent with God could be intentional as we…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community As we follow the Lord we need to avoid making rules and laws and trust the leading of the Spirit.  There can be a tendency to turn our individual, Spirit-led practices into corporate laws. Because we may be led to live in a poor…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community We are called a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. I Peter 2:9.  Peculiar means different and strange and as Christians we should be different from the world. If we are truly following Jesus and led by the Holy…