Romans 1:11-12
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
When I travel with my best friend, we can spend hours talking about our faith, our struggles, our blessings. These are conversations I can’t necessarily have with just anyone. There is a level of trust and understanding which only a relationship with another Christian believer brings. We are blessed to have solid relationships with other Christians. They are golden.
Heavenly Father, you know how thankful I am for my friendships with other believers. They help make my life rich and safe. You have placed these people in my life, brought us together, and introduced us. You have made us fast friends. You always do provide. Amen
Becky, transforming
Romans 1:11-12
We Christians are to love one another. Part of this love involves the way we behave toward other Christians—how we are to be a blessing to them. The apostle Paul told the Roman Christians that he was planning to visit them so that he could reveal some spiritual gift to them to make them strong. Paul was going to teach them something about God, or by using his example tell them something about his faith and life so that they would be blessed by it. He was going to make them strong. This is incredible. If I heard that the apostle Paul was coming to visit me and that he wanted to reveal some spiritual gift to me…
Romans 1:11–12 In the 1980s, I shared a small office with two other teachers. Gloria was Jewish, Pat was Catholic, and I was a Methodist. All of us went to regular worship services and volunteered for other work at our church/synagogue. We never spoke much about faith as we were usually too busy being teachers. One Monday, Pat shared a story about what she had done for the children using Isaiah 40. (Make straight the highway – mountains lie down – valleys rise up, etc.) I said we had read the same passage. It must’ve been advent. Gloria said her group had read it also. For Pat and I, we were like John preparing for the Messiah. Gloria explained it was…
Romans 1:11-12
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
What could be more encouraging, more of a “spiritual gift,'' then seeing someone living their faith? This is the true reason for fellowship. I’m inspired for the moment, but soon think of all the reasons that that person can do it but I can’t. They have more time or more money or have studied the bible more.
Dear Lord why does it seem to be easier for others to follow you than it is for me? As Lucado said today – help me…
Romans 1: 11-12 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong---That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
All the spiritual gifts that we receive are giving to us by the Holy Spirit. We have these gifts of fellowship and community that help us share our faith. Sometimes it is just watching what someone says and does. We learn from other Christians and we are transformed in Christ.
Dearest Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. He leads me and gives me the grace to learn more about my faith. Thank you for all the gifts that you have given…
Romans 1:11-12
Christian fellowship means more and more in these days of increasing hostility to Christianity. Being mutually encouraged by the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ is an oasis of calm in a world that seems to have been turned upside down. History has taught us these things go in cycles. If we continue to share our faith with one another for our encouragement and with those who do not yet know Jesus for their encouragement, we may be blessed to see and be part of the next Great Awakening.
Prayer - God of encouragement, thank You for the fellowship and support of my brothers and sisters in Christ. May we always seek to build one another…