Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Christian community is an encouraging community.

It’s a place where I am encouraged to commit to my own spiritual growth and service to others, and then challenged to become accountable to others in the commitments I choose to make as I strive to become more Christ-like.

It’s a place where I can bring my burdens.  While the world tells people to be self-reliant, a Christian community knows we all need Christ and each other.  We cannot do it alone.

It’s a place where I can bring my failures.  While society tends to ostracize those who fail, I can look to people like Paul and Peter, and know there is a place for me here.  Paul killed countless Christians before he was converted, but he was given a new beginning among the Christian community.  Peter denied Christ three times in his hour of need, but Jesus called Peter the rock upon which the church would be built.

Heavenly Father, help me to live what I claim – that I am living a shared life with You.  I know that walking in Your light means I also experience a shared life with others, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, Your Son, purges all my sin.  (Based on 1 John 1:6-7)