Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good a

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

There is great freedom when it comes to forms of worship and I will just mention a few basic elements that have been found useful in the development of our relationship with God and others.

1.Greeting. Doesn’t it feel great to go to a place that greets us and seems to really want us?  What is important is that we acknowledge each other’s presence, to know and be known.

2. Confession and forgiveness. If we are honest with ourselves and God we need a time and a place to confess our failures since we are not perfect.  We may do this formally in written prayers or informally, allowing a time of silent         reflection. How good it is to hear the wonderful words that we are forgiven.

3. Creeds, commandments and the Lord’s prayer. Creeds come from the Latin word meaning, “This I Believe”, and as we recite what we believe  it establishes us as Christians and connects us to the body of Christ through the ages. They are statements the church was founded on.

4.  Scripture and the sermon.  The Bible is our common text and it unites us. When we hear preaching based on the scriptures it is a way God uses to bring comfort or conviction.

5.  Communion.  The meal is a reminder of the death of Jesus and all if its implications. We are unified for we are One Body and partake of the one loaf. We are reminded of the forgiveness made possible by Jesus death and that we are a reconciling community.

6. Singing. God has designed us in such a way that sound and rhythm inspire and motivate us. Music touches us at an emotional level and when it us used to offer praise to God it connects us to the Trinity and each other in deep ways. 

7. Silence.  We can sense the leading of the Spirit when we are still and pausing for a few moment of reflection so the Word of God sinks into our hearts and minds.

8. Offering gifts. Giving itself is an act of worship. We offer up our gifts to God and let go of the need to store up treasures for ourselves.

9. Benediction. These parting words encourage us to go forth with the blessing of God into the world and be His light.
All these elements of worship remind us that gathered worship is special, sacred and necessary in our lives.

nd Beautiful Community There is great freedom when it comes to forms of worship and I will just mention a few basic elements that have been found useful in the development of our relationship with God and others. 1.Greeting. Doesn’t it feel great to go to a place that greets us and seems to really want us? What is important is that we acknowledge each other’s presence, to know and be known. 2. Confession and forgiveness. If we are honest with ourselves and God we need a time and a place to confess our failures since we are not perfect. We may do this formally in written prayers or informally, allowing a time of silent reflection. How good it is to hear the wonderful words that we are forgiven. 3. Creeds, commandments and the Lord’s prayer. Creeds come from the Latin word meaning, “This I Believe”, and as we recite what we believe it establishes us as Christians and connects us to the body of Christ through the ages. They are statements the church was founded on. 4. Scripture and the sermon. The Bible is our common text and it unites us. When we hear preaching based on the scriptures it is a way God uses to bring comfort or conviction. 5. Communion. The meal is a reminder of the death of Jesus and all if its implications. We are unified for we are One Body and partake of the one loaf. We are reminded of the forgiveness made possible by Jesus death and that we are a reconciling community. 6. Singing. God has designed us in such a way that sound and rhythm inspire and motivate us. Music touches us at an emotional level and when it us used to offer praise to God it connects us to the Trinity and each other in deep ways. 7. Silence. We can sense the leading of the Spirit when we are still and pausing for a few moment of reflection so the Word of God sinks into our hearts and minds. 8. Offering gifts. Giving itself is an act of worship. We offer up our gifts to God and let go of the need to store up treasures for ourselves. 9. Benediction. These parting words encourage us to go forth with the blessing of God into the world and be His light. All these elements of worship remind us that gathered worship is special, sacred and necessary in our lives.

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.