29th. June. 2022. Daily Devotions.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
God has redeemed us in Jesus and called us to live beautiful lives of gratitude and joy. Scripture, and enjoy and care for God’s creation. However, God also calls us to live beautiful lives of gratitude and joy together, as a community.
The first followers of Jesus provide us a model of how to do this well. Their ordinary, everyday habits helped to make this community beautiful. They committed their time to doing ordinary things like learning from their teachers, spending time together, eating together, and praying together. They didn’t worry about accumulating money and possessions; they shared with anyone who was in need. They celebrated the Lord’s Supper and shared celebratory meals together.
Participating in a local church is the best way to live out this kind of beautiful Christian community today. And if that isn’t possible, perhaps you can connect with a Christian ministry online or by phone or mail. Join with others in correspondence and prayer and try to participate in Christian community as much as possible, expressing the beauty of life together in the name of Jesus. R. Jordan Heys.
God, thank you for the gift of Christian community. Show us opportunities to follow you in the way we live our lives together. Shape us into a beautiful community, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Blessed are you, creator of all, to you be praise and glory for ever. As your dawn renews the face of the earth bringing light and life to all creation, may we rejoice in this day you have made; as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep, open our eyes to behold your presence and strengthen our hands to do your will, that the world may rejoice and give you praise. Blessed forever be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Cut through the malice of our hearts, redeeming God, with the Spirit’s sword,
wound the pride of our rebellion with the grace that makes righteous and bring near the day of Christ, when love shall reign in joy; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.
Guide and govern your Church, O Lord, that we may walk warily in times of quiet and boldly in times of danger; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Franciscan Breviary (13th century)
Holy God, our experience of pandemic and lockdown has made us rethink the meaning of place. So often we have focused on buildings and how we make others welcome in those places. But the place where we all really need to be is in your arms of love, in your family and in your kingdom. For in your arms, your family, and your kingdom there is not just room for all, but a role for all.
Inspire us with a fresh vision of how we can invite others into that place of encounter with you, offering welcome, forgiveness, grace, and joy. Thank you for the promise of a place where each of us belongs and where you dwell among us. Amen.
