Having Community

"If my heart is right with God, every human being is my neighbor." Oswald Chambers

Having a sense of community with anyone around you is what God has in mind for us here on earth.

Many of us, myself included, have our own communities. We have the people we know and love that we like to hang-out with and spend time with. Then we have our church communities that we worship with. We also have work communities, neighborhood communities (maybe) and a few others.

The problem with this picture is that this isn't community at all! Community wasn't meant to still be in sections or so separated. God intended for us to be a community for everyone. There was never to be a split amongst people.

I'm not saying to go treat the scary guy on the street like you would your close friend and put yourself in danger, but we should be seeing these people through God's eyes and creating a world of community. It is our call as Christians and it is our task here on earth.

Will Do

1. Look for ways to create community 
2. Be friendly and helpful
3. Be considerate of others' feelings
4. Be generous with praise and cautious with criticism
5. Serve others in love
6. Respect our differences and seek to find common interests
7. Enjoy the people God has brought into your life

To Do

1. Invite a newcomer to your Bible study group
2. Host a party or get-together at your house
3. Participate in a volleyball game or other group activity
4. Make a donation to a charity.
5. When you are feeling low, reach out to someone else and send flowers, make a phone call or write a friendly note.
6. Make a collage of pictures of family and friends
7. Volunteer to help build something in the community

Bible Verses to Remember

1. 1 John 4:11
2. John 13:34-35
3. 1 John 4:20
4. Proverbs 15:27
5. Romans 12:15-16
6. Galatians 5:13
7. James 2:8-9
8. Psalm 82:3-4
9. 1 Corinthians 12:26
10. 1 Corinthians 16:14
11. Philippians 2:2
12. Proverbs 3:28

"Your neighbor is the man who is next to you at the moment, the man with whom any business has brought you into contact."
            George MacDonald