Transformational Tip
Know that as a believer you will not be of this world, but you have already been sent into this world…divinely appointed and placed. In John 17:20 Jesus actually prays not only for his current and present disciples, He prays for all future believers that we may be as one. Jesus prays that we will be one just as He and God are one. Amazing how instantly I felt such a strong bond with fellow believers I had never met before when I went to Kenya, Uganda, and especially in Iraq. Makes sense since we are spiritual family…brothers and sisters in Christ! Actually, I feel a stronger bond than with some of my biological family members.
Today, feel the sense of a community of believers. In some way…even in the smallest of ways…bring the message of Christ to others. Pray for someone in need, forward a past Stepping Stones Devotional to someone, offer kindness to someone who is in the midst of a storm. As one, let’s move God’s Word forward into this world.
Click the Past Devotional link below; comment about your thoughts and actions.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
It is so beautiful to know that Jesus prayed for me even before I was born and You knew all the hairs on my head. Thank You Father. All glory be Yours.
As a community of believers, the Stepping Stones Community as one body works together to further Your Kingdom. As Jesus sent his disciples, we too are sent into the world to spread the gospel. Help me and all those who are part of the Stepping Stone community do Your work even in ways that we do not understand. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fill us to the full. Fill us with You Spirit so that we may understand and then spread Your Holy Word. In Jesus’ guiding name – all God’s people said – AMEN!
The Truth
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
John 17:18-23
2 comments:
The truth of connection of believers comes to me as I was a new believer in a new church and felt closer to the strangers around me than my closest family memebers. God used it to give me a glimpse of eternity, I think. Sometimes at church when my eyes are closed and we are worshiping I get a sense for a few seconds of us being a part of a much larger heavenly realm of worshippers - it is BIG!
"...feel the sense of a community of believers..." My initial reaction to that statement is quite negative; I DON'T feel it.
But actually, it did feel sweet last night and this morning... Last night as I closed my car door I heard a 'click' - for some reason it locked and the keys were on the inside! Not the first time but a strange delayed sound of the power locks. I'm house sitting farther from home and my usual sphere of work, play, etc.
Two of the dearest friends are fairly new believers: they were drug dealers, users, boy/ girlfriend who slept together, fought (physically) with each other and MORE. But now 3 yrs later, they are the most trust-worthy friends I feel God has provided me! They are a good 10-11 yrs younger than me, in their mid-20s. Both attempted to unlock my car - worked hard and skillfully and encouraged me. Finally, just in time the relief came as I soon had to leave for work! Such a blessing as local police "did not have that kind of equipment and other towing and such services did not do lockouts. Perhaps it will be the most connection of true brother/ sister in Christ I will experience all weekend. . . I feel grateful.
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