Week Seven

I have been so grateful this week for the fellowship of the saints and particularly for Frankie’s comments on our scripture reading this past week. Her thoughtful words reminded me again of these verses in Ephesians 3:17-19:

“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.” (NKJV)

It really is together that we know Him in fulness. Isn’t it wonderful to know that our fellowship in Christ together is both a revelation to us of the unifying power of His love and a reflection to others of His glory. His Word is indeed living and active. It lives in us and causes us to Live–with Him and with each other.

Father, thank you for placing me so deliberately in a local church family. All these you have given me as witnesses to your heart of love and your disposition of grace and hospitality. I am captivated by the diverse representation of your creativity and the careful way you weave our stories together. I’m grateful to be able to say with the psalmist: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Ps 122:1 NKJV) Bless each one, Lord, with an ever increasing knowledge of your deep and abiding love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

An Invitation: Our time together in the Word of God has been wonderfully rich, and as we are coming to the end of this reading plan in a couple of weeks, I wanted to invite you to a gathering of all who are participating in this series. We’ll meet at Covenant Life Church in Lawrenceville, GA on July 13th from 9:30 to 11:30 am for a time of testimonies and communion. If you will be able to join us, I ask that you please RSVP to me by email at dani@danileewilliams.com. Childcare will be provided for the event, so when you RSVP, please let me know the number and ages of children who will be attending with you. I am very much looking forward to being with you and witnessing the fruit of His work in you.

Week Seven Daily Reading: 1 John 1-5

Journaling prompts: 1. Consider that our joy being “full” is related to our fellowship with one another in Christ. 2. Consider that walking in the light of truth results in fellowship and forgiveness. 3. Prayerfully consider that wanting something bad to happen to another or holding something against another is a “darkness that blinds your eyes.” (1 John 2:11) 3. In what ways might you be loving the world rather than loving the giver of life in the world? Are you making a life for yourself, or are you receiving abundant life from the One who offers it? 4. What have you seen, heard and touched that manifests the love of God in your life? 5. Consider that fear is evident in our frustrations and resentments of others, and consider that there is no fear in love (he who fears has not been made perfect in love.) 6. Are there any idols before you that you need to keep yourself from?

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 NKJV)

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