Coming Alongside

Verse
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 MSG)

My Word or Phrase
he (God) brings us alongside someone else

My Image
Though I don’t remember the specifics I recall seeing more than once at the end of a long race (marathon, triathlon) where a competitor falls short of the finish line and another competitor comes along or comes back to help them across the finish line. They know the pain the fallen one is in and come alongside to help.

My Invitation
I need to be open and willing to respond to the prompting of God when he puts another in my path who needs someone to walk with them awhile.


What does it look like to come alongside another? Sometimes it means sitting and listening to their story. Other times it might be a simple word of encouragement. Listen for God’s prompt and respond as best you can. The smallest thing can make a great impact in another’s life.

So who is God prompting you to come alongside?

Serving One Another in Love

Lectio reflection 1/24/14

Verse
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? (Galatians 5:13-15 MSG)

My Word or Phrase
serve one another in love

My Image
What I see is Jesus rising from the table, tying a towel around his waist and washing the disciples feet. They didn’t ask for this but Jesus was doing it out of love.

My Invitation
My invitation is to simple emulate Jesus and serve one another in love. Easy to say but tough to do.


As you read this verse what is God’s invitation to you?

Embracing God – Lectio from 1/21/14

Verse
This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. (1 John 4:13-16 MSG)

My Word or Phrase
participates continuously in an intimate relationship

My Image
I see this image of sitting and talking with another – laughing, crying, being still & quiet, being comforted & comforting, just simply being.

My Invitation
I am being reminded that as a Christ-follower I have a standing invitation to “continually” partake in an intimate and rich relationship with God. My question to myself is why don’t I always take advantage of this?


My question to you is are you taking participating “continuously in an intimate relationship with God”?