| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Christian community” Our Bible verse for today: “For I want very much to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:11-12 (CSB) Our thought for today: “The blessings are mutual” In yesterday’s devotional I referred to my old friend Dick DeGrow as one of the mentors who had an important impact on me in my early years as a pastor. When I arrived at Bancroft Baptist as a newly-minted pastor beginning my first assignment as a pastor, Dick was already there. He was a retired pastor who was serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and as the church custodian. I had just finished a career as a Naval officer and I was still very much in the mode of the hard-charging, in control, military man with a “Do it because I said so,” attitude (which doesn’t work so well in a church setting.) Dick, on the other hand, was very calm, mild-mannered, and extremely patient. He quickly (but subtly and gently) took me under his wing (and often followed behind me smoothing ruffled feathers.) I loved being around Dick. He was so wise and he had such a calming influence on me. He often complimented me regarding my preaching and teaching and he told me what a blessing I was to him and to the rest of the church. But Dick was certainly a big blessing to me as well. The blessings were mutual. In Romans 1:11-12 the Apostle Paul writes about mutual blessings when he notes that he hoped to be a blessing to the Roman Christians when he was with them, and he fully expected to be blessed by them in return. This is how we grow in Christian community. You bless me and I bless you. You learn from me and I learn from you. None of us grows on our own. God places wise, insightful, and inspirational people around us to help deepen our own faith and to spur us on to greater spiritual growth. I get to experience this every Sunday at Oak Hill Baptist Church. For my part, I work hard all week to be prepared so maybe I can say or teach something that will be helpful to someone, but in return, I’m always blessed and inspired by others in our church family. That’s the way good Christian community is. You bless me and I’ll bless you. You help me and I help you. The blessings are mutual. None of us does this alone. God bless, Pastor Jim (Join us at Oak Hill Baptist Church every Sunday at 10:00. Join us in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you are a shut-in, join us online at www.YouTube.com/oakhillbaptistcrossville) |
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Oak Hill Baptist Church 
So true!! “ God places wise, insightful, and inspirational people around us to help deepen our own faith and to spur us on to greater spiritual growth.” Those are placed sometimes in person – other times remotely- like here. Thank you!
Thank you for reading along with us! And thanks for the encouraging feedback.