Good Morning!

Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.  -Romans 12:10-13 AMP

Reading this I thought, we as Christians should be doing that to everyone, not just the other people in the Christian faith; but then I thought if we can’t do this well within the church how do we expect to do it well outside the church? Then I also thought, the church is family and our family should take precedence over others because in order to have a healthy life we need a healthy family life. And one more thing I would like to add to this is if we can successfully do this as a church…give preference to one another in honor, being loving towards each other, being patient with each other, devoted to prayer for each other which translates deeply caring for each other, then how encouraging and welcoming is that to the outsider that chooses Jesus. Too often we hear people that walk away from their faith in Jesus due to someone hurting them from within the church. How can we change how we view the Church to align more to this model laid out in the above verses?

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”  -Mother Teresa

“Real love in the church doesn’t ignore sin, but it also doesn’t shame people into hiding. It calls people into the light with grace and truth.”  -Jackie Hill Perry

Dad Joke of the Day:

Ban pre-shredded cheese.

Make America grate again.

Have a great Tuesday!