The Influence of the Church
I've often heard it said that the way a person sees their father is how they see God; but the way they see their mother is the way they see the church. In other words, if Christ is our heavenly Father than his church here on Earth - his Bride - that would be the maternal side of our spirituality.
What does that mean for us? Simply stated, we can look at the church as a mother. And what do mother's do? They nurture. They build up. They support. They feed. If we are to truly be the bride of christ then we are to nurture, to build up, to support, and to feed those that are hungry, lost, and seeking.
Christ did not build the church to condemn with religious practicies and judgemental preconceptions. He left behind the church to spread the gospel and grow the Kingdom. That maternal instinct is how we will reach a world and lead them to a good, good father.
Bible Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Faith Application: Commit to praying every day this week and fasting one day a week. Pray when you want. Remember, you may not pray an hour a day but don't let an hour go by without communicating with God. On your fast day, fast whatever you feel, but let it be a sacrifice; let it be from the heart. Fast somethingthat has become an idol in your life and takes up your time and your energy in place of moments with God.
Prayer Focus: Lord, today we pray over Faith Temple. Let us be a nurturing, kind, gentle church that can reach out to a hurting world with love, grace, and compassion. Let us be welcoming. Let us be examples. Let us not allow laws to overshadow the love of Christ. Let us be a lighthouse in our community and spread the nourshing gospel of Jesus Christ.
Family Activity: You may not be a mother in the physical sense, but as a part of the church we are a mother to the lost. Discuss with your family how we can show a nurturing loving spirit to our church and community.