Devotionals for June 5, 2024

NLS tonight at 6pm for middle and high school students! 

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-2
"1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," often referred to as "Hymn of Joy," celebrates the joy found in celebrating God together.  “Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee…. Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.” The Christian life is not meant to be a solitary journey. We are called to share our faith, our struggles, and our joys with others. We are invited each week at TNLC to connect with others during our greeting time and immediately following communion we are called to bear one another’s burdens through our prayer ministers. Paul takes it a step further, calling us to give him joy by living in harmony, loving each other, and working together. He goes beyond just the absence of conflict and declares that true joy is found in peaceful thriving together. On our own, we can’t make this happen. But we can plant, and water, and ask God to cause the growth.

Q: What are the three ways in this passage that believers can bring joy to Paul (and by extension, to God)?

Q: Who in your immediate circle is easy to love? Reach out to them today and make a plan to work on something together.

Q: Who in your immediate circle is *hard* to love? Reach out to them today and do something intentional to show them love.

"Give us today our daily bread."

Lord, Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!