Grace and Community

Devotional Reading: But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. Acts of the Apostles 12:5 NLT

We know life is marked by milestones, and that there will be both bitter and sweet times. To move forward with healing and wholeness, we need more than platitudes—we need solid relationships, both with God and with people who love and support us.

The story of Peter imprisonment in Acts 12 reveals the importance fellowship and community. The scriptures declares that the moment Peter was imprisoned “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Beautiful isn’t it to see other people carry your burdens as their own when storms come.

Through the community of faith called the local church or the body of Christ, God provides parts of the “body” for us to hang on to—while our head remains the Rock, Jesus. That means you must cling to the “body.” God has given us His body to see through the very things God has provided to each of us as a means of knowing His Son.

You have to hang on to discipleship. You have to hang on to worship. You have to hang on to stewardship. You have to hang on to fellowship. Maybe those don’t seem like big things to you, but when you face big problems, it is the little disciplines that carry you through.

God brings us together as a community and body for mutual support. After all, He is pulling you through your storm so you can in turn help others make it through theirs.

Prayer and Confession
Jesus, help to be committed to your body, your wisdom for support and help. Amen!

Further Reading: Acts 12: 1-19, 2Corinthians 1:3-4