Summer of Love

Read – 1 Corinthians 12:24-27

Notice – It’s not often that you hear the word fellowship outside of church. When Paul writes about being the body of Christ together and are living with mutual love and care for one another as we follow the teachings and examples of Jesus, he’s writing about what fellowship really means. When have you been a part of a group, in church, school, work, with friends, where this kind of love and mutual care was shared? How can we make the most of our fellowship at Grace?

Pray – Jesus, grow in me the love and humility that will allow my gifts and abilities to honestly bless others and build your kingdom, not my own. Amen.

Read – Acts 2:42-47

Notice – In the Book of Acts we read that God’s Spirit moved among the first Christians “were united and shared everything.” (Acts 2:44). The Spirit gave them the ability to empower others. These first followers of Jesus set aside their own desires for more to ensure that everyone in the community was taken care of. How does your readiness to live generously, to share with others refl ect the Spirit’s impact on your life?

Pray – God, keep loving me as your Spirit stretches me and empowers me to empower others. May my life refl ect your love today. Amen.

Read – Romans 14:1-12

Notice – In the first century, Jewish, Christian, and Roman eating habits varied greatly. As the early church was formed, these different food habits mixed and some people didn’t like that kind of mingling. In our reading today, Paul writes that Christian fellowship does not imply a right to run other people’s lives. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement that Grace is a part of, once said in a sermon, “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without doubt, we may.” Are there people with whom you do not think alike, yet you can choose to love alike?

Pray – Jesus, help me to love alike even when I cannot think alike. Unite my heart with the hearts of those around me. Amen.

Read – 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Notice – Paul writes that as followers of Jesus we can see ourselves as letters written to the world from Christ. What might someone learn about following Jesus if they read the letter you are writing with your life? What activities, practices, habits, and routines share your faith and hope with the world? 

Pray – Jesus, inspire me to write a letter of love with my life. That’s the path to your kingdom that your servant Paul modeled and called all of us, including me, to follow. Amen. 

Read – 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Notice – Part of Paul’s reason for writing 1 Corinthians was to let the people of Corinth know about the struggles that were happening with God’s people in Jerusalem. Even though the church in Corinth didn’t know the people in Jerusalem, they felt united with one another. In another letter, Paul writes about other churches that are happy to be able to help (Romans 15:25-26). When have you felt happy to help like that? What have the past few years taught you about coming together even while we are apart?

Pray – Jesus, expand horizons. As you care for all your people, help me to fi nd joy in what my church does locally, and also in the times when we can help other people I may not ever meet. Amen. 

Read – Acts 2:42-47, Acts 5:12-14

Notice – In the fi rst chapter of Acts, it’s written that the church grew from about 120 members to more than 3,120 (1:15) in one day! What made this fi rst church so appealing and welcoming? In our readings today, words like teaching, and prayer, and goodness can stick out, so much so that it’s easy to overlook how the early church ‘shared meals’.  Having a meal with someone takes a lot more time then asking them how they are doing and going on to the next thing on your to-do list. Who do you need to share a meal with? What do we need to do at Grace to provide more opportunities for fellowship and how can you help?

Pray – Jesus, whenever I’m tempted to think, “It’s just a meal” remind me of all the times you reached people’s hearts as you ate with them.  Open my heart to that same transformation and power. Amen.