community

Mar

2024

Power of Prayerful Hands

“I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8, NIV)

Importance of Prayer

Prayer is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. It is the means by which we communicate with our heavenly Father, express our gratitude, make our requests known, and seek his guidance.

In his wisdom, God has chosen to involve us in his work through prayer, inviting us to participate in the unfolding of his plan.

Posture of Prayer

The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of lifting up “holy hands” when we pray. This is not a literal instruction but a metaphor for the attitude and disposition of our hearts.

We are to approach God with reverence, humility, and a desire for reconciliation with him and with others.

Anger and Disputing

Paul warns against praying with anger or disputing in our hearts.

Anger and conflict cloud our judgment and distort our perspective, making it difficult to discern God’s will.

When we harbor resentment or bitterness towards others, it can hinder our ability to pray effectively.

Power of Unity

Instead, Paul encourages us to pray in a spirit of unity and harmony.

When we come together as a community of believers, lifting our voices in prayer, there is a power and effectiveness that transcends our individual efforts.

As we lay aside our differences and focus on our common purpose, God is pleased to work through our collective prayers.

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“One Minute with God”

Feb

2024

Your Reward – Don’t Lose It!

“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” (2 John 1:8 NIV)

What Does It Mean to Watch Out?

The apostle John wrote this letter to a group of Christians who were facing false teachers and deceivers. He warned them to be careful not to be led astray by those who denied the truth about Jesus Christ. He also encouraged them to remain faithful to the commandment of love and to walk in obedience to God.

To watch out means to be alert, vigilant, and discerning. It means to pay attention to what we believe, how we live, and who we associate with.

It means to guard our hearts and minds from anything that would compromise our faith or our relationship with God.

Why Do We Need to Watch Out?

It is important to watch out because we have a precious treasure that is worth protecting. John said that we have worked for something that we do not want to lose. What is that something? It is the reward of eternal life that God has promised to those who believe in his Son.

The reward of eternal life is not something that we earn by our own efforts or merits. It is a gift of God’s grace that we receive by faith. However, it is also something that we can forfeit by our own negligence or disobedience.

If we turn away from the truth, if we follow false teachings, if we stop loving God and one another, we risk losing our reward.

How Do We Watch Out?

You watch out by staying close to God and his word. We need to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work.

We need to pray, worship, and fellowship with God, who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before his glory. We need to obey, serve, and love God, who is able to reward us according to our deeds.

Watch out by staying connected to the community of faith. We need to listen, learn, and submit to the leaders and teachers who faithfully proclaim the truth and guide us in the way of righteousness.

Support, encourage, and care for one another, especially those who are weak, struggling, or suffering. We need to share, witness, and defend the gospel, especially to those who are lost, confused, or deceived.

What Is the Result of Watching Out?

The result of watching out is that we may be rewarded fully. John said that if we watch out, we will not lose what we have worked for, but we will receive the fullness of God’s blessing.

What is the fullness of God’s blessing? It is the joy of seeing Jesus face to face, the peace of being in his presence, the glory of sharing in his inheritance, and the love of being with him forever.

The reward of eternal life is not something that we can take for granted or assume that we already have. It is something that we need to pursue, protect, and prepare for. It is something that we need to watch out for.