Bible Readings and Devotion for July 11, 2020
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Devotion for July 11, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
Christianity is not a solo sport. It is not something we must do on our own. Yes, there are extreme situations in which a person must live out his or her faith alone, but that is the very rare exception. In general, life as a follower of Jesus is about doing life and ministry together.
In our reading from Acts we have a scene in which a ministry partnership is set up. It is to be, as we see, a working mission partnership with both Saul (later known as Paul) and Barnabas. After a time of prayer and fasting, Barnabas was chosen among four faithful servants of the church. The church commissioned them for ministry, and to be sent on their way.
It was a stroke of Godly wisdom that this action was taken. God knows that we need community and partnership to do his work in the world. God created us to be with other people. The community, even one other person, provides friendship, accountability, encouragement, safety, and opportunities for reflection.
One of the things I have observed over the decades has been that working along-side others builds up life. Working side by side on a project or in service to others helps us grow closer to God and to one another. It builds up our faith. It builds stronger bonds between people. It builds a set of common experiences. It spreads joy in serving God. Saul and Barnabas would have these good things as they traveled to spread the Gospel of Jesus. We can grow these good things in our lives as we serve God, neighbor and church, side by side. These good things come through Christianity being a team sport, not a solo sport.
Prayer
Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
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