Theme of the Week: Stronger
Bible Verse: “The God of my strength in whom will I trust.” 2 Samuel 22:3
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:21
In competitive sports, hockey requires five players (and a goalie), for a total of six. Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith. He could have chosen six, but oddly he settled on five. Moses wrote the Pentateuch, the first five books of Scripture. Ancient tradition recounts the five wounds of Jesus: scourging, crown of thorns, pierced hands, pierced feet and wound in His side.
Why do we limit ourselves to physical strength? Good question. Is it possible that what we see is only the here and now, the physical and not the spiritual realm and we are limited by our vision?
When we freely give our lives to Christ, we take off the old nature and put on the new. God will see us through all sorts of difficulty and give us the ability to withstand all manner of adversity. There’s no better way than with the support of our church family.
The Apostle Paul had been lashed on five separate occasions – 39 brutal lashes – courtesy of his Jewish brethren. A man who once persecuted Christians, he now faced the same harsh treatment.
But he wasn’t alone in his ministry. He co-laboured with Barnabas, John Mark, and later, Priscilla and Aquila. Paul recognized the value of home churches, much like what we, 20th century Christians, assemble in today – home groups. Our strength does not come from the tally of numbers but is derived from what those numbers stand for: people.
That is our strength. Like Paul, we can embrace the strengths and talents that each one has, and working together in concert, we can accomplish God’s plan in the next millennia: the strength of many.
Prayer: Father, thank you that I am indeed surrounded by fellow Christians who have not only gone before, but will come after me. Thank you for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds me and for making me a part of the body of Christ from whom I can draw strength and courage.
Reflection: To whom can you go when you need to find encouragement and strength. Write them a note of appreciation.
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