I am so glad that you popped in today. Grab your coffee, your Bible, a pen and paper perhaps and get cozy. We are going to spend some time today chatting about Community.
I found Bailey on Instagram a while ago and have so enjoyed following along with her. She has a beautiful heart for Jesus and is so active in her faith and bold with her goals and dreams as well as she posts SUPER fun photos! Well, she has a blog, braveloveblog.com and is hosting a Bible study through February on Ephesians | hence the post title | that I am intending to join. I put my linky on there and will post on Thursdays when she links up and posts with her co-hosts (Our Yellow Door, Rachel Rewritten, Joyfully Organized & A Place to Dwell ).
This week we looked at Ephesians 1-2:13. As I was reading, I was refreshed by the freedom in what Paul was greeting his fellow believers with. It was so beautiful with nothing restricting. I was struck by how easily it felt as if he was writing to deep friends.
"15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might..."
How exciting that no matter where we come from, what our background is, we can be in fellowship with one another. We can call each other friend simple because we have a Jesus connection. Granted, we may not always get along with our fellow believers or even like some of them, but we love them. We are called to love them as Christ loved us and as we love ourselves.
Are you in community with fellow believers? Do you pray for one another, share your struggles and victories together?If you are not sure where to begin, head over to Bailey's blog, chances are you will feel like her friend even if you don't know her personally. I feel like she is my friend. She has invited us to community with one another through this study. Join us, please! Also feel free to send me a message, I would love to connect with you on a deeper, more personal level!!!
Have a good Thursday friend, be encouraged!
<3 Kayla
Hey there, Kayla! So thankful for your insights. I love that Paul was so passionate about community!
ReplyDeleteI love the verses you quoted! Verse 16 keeps sticking in my brain, "I never stop thinking of you"... Wow. Just wow!! Christ has led us not only to Himself, but also to a whole community! I pray for other believers, but I also ask that those who do not yet know Him may have their hearts warmed and eyes opened. I wish everyone knew of His love!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the link-up at Our Yellow Door
Thanks so much for sharing with us! I agree, community is so important especially for believers! I believe He has called us to that and Paul demonstrated that. Thanks for linking up with us!
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