'community' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” vs. 5 Romans 4:1-5 It’s been pretty well accepted by folks nowadays that works are no advantage in our relationship with God. We’ve sung “Amazing Grace” so many times, in every setting, that we’ve pretty much taken it to heart. Since God has justified the ungodly, there’s even hope for a wretch like me. The bigger question for us is the matter…
Daily Devotions
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” vss. 6-7 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Paul was a great church planter. Apollos was an eloquent preacher. Paul thought they were fellow servants in the work of the Lord, but the people thought they were competitors. The result was division in the community as the believers chose between them. Some of our…
Daily Devotions
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.” vs. 6 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 Even though followers of Jesus are called by grace and live by grace, they are generally seriously upset by those who sit idly by and allow others to do all the work. It’s one of the by-products of living in community.…
Daily Devotions
We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you.” vs. 20 Jeremiah 14:19-22 According to Jeremiah, the people of Judah acknowledged the iniquity of their ancestors and furthermore, confessed it to be their own. Their attitude contrasts with the attitudes of those in our time who refuse to accept any responsibility for the despicable acts of prior generations. In some places, teachers are forbidden from teaching anything about the past that might…
Daily Devotions
Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.” vss. 39-40 Hebrews 11:29-40 As he continues his teachings, the writer to the Hebrews recounts the great people of faith from Israel’s history, from Rahab, the prostitute, to unnamed prophets tortured and maligned in every horrible way. All had faith in common, it was their strength and…
Daily Devotions
For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.” vs. 24 Psalm 22:19-28 While being a follower of Jesus includes being a part of a community, most of us probably relate to God from the perspective of an individual. We might have a sense of what is going on for others, rejoicing and grieving with them in our life together, but we…
Daily Devotions
When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’” vs. 11 Acts 11:11-18 Luke leaves us with the impression that this one conversation was enough to change the minds of the Jerusalem believers and open their hearts to the uncircumcised. Of course we know from Paul’s letters that it took years for the gospel to be seen in an inclusive way. Judaizers dogged…
Daily Devotions
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” vs. 9 Psalm 71:1-14 Some things never change! Even in the time of the psalmist, more than 2500 years ago, people had a fear of growing old. That fear stems not so much from the aches, pains, and muscle weakness that comes from aging, but the alienation and loneliness that can be almost more than our spirits can bear. Physical…
Daily Devotions
For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.” vs. 10 Psalm 31:9-16 We don’t know what was going on with the psalmist, he doesn’t give any details about whatever it was that had been tormenting him. We can only imagine–and make some guesses based on our own periods of dismal existence as we’ve made our way from spring to winter in the course of…
The Gift of Years Retreat Open to Commuters
Want to participate in Spirit’s ‘The Gift of Years’ retreat, but sleep in your own bed? Spaces are now open to locals who prefer to commute to Carefree. Participate in the program, the meals, the yoga, the camaraderie and the fun ~ everything but the overnight sleeping ~ for only $199!
Daily Devotions
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.” vss. 16-17a Luke 4:14-16 Synagogues began to be built in the towns of Galilee and Judea just prior to the time that Jesus began his ministry. They were places of prayer and study and for the reading and exposition of…
12 Tiny Things Retreat Now Open to Commuters!
elsewhere? Now’s your chance! This retreat is now open to locals who prefer to commute to Spirit in the Desert. Participate in the program, the meals, the yoga, the camaraderie and the fun ~ everything but the overnight sleeping ~ for only $249!