Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-13
Scripture Quote: “Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:21-23 (NIV)
Christians are the church and the body of our Lord, Jesus. We need the church to keep us fully in the love of God. We stray when we devalue the importance of continued fellowship in worship with each other. The world is very hospitable to the floundering Christian. We need to be all the more hospitable with each other and with that stranger or struggling Christian. Support, earnestness and encouragement all create a peaceful, harmonious group. We need to be conscientious about building each other up with prayer and with hospitable, welcoming attitudes. We need to also be completely rooted in God's Word.
We are judged by the world around us who are hopeful that they can find some condemnation of us that supports their distrust and disbelief. We are known by the fruit of our lives. Harmony stems from our relationship to Jesus acted out. The discord of sin can destroy harmony and must be avoided. When the church displays hospitality and harmony she is a powerful witness to the world.
Today’s meditation: Be welcoming and generous to everyone.
Memory Verse: “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14 (NIV)