Belonging
“The lesson here is that everyone needs to feel like they belong.”
Romans 12:3-5, 10 (NLT)
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Reflection
We can search the Bible from cover to cover but we’ll not find one example of a solitary saint fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. John the Baptist carried out his ministry in the wilderness, yet he was surrounded by people (Matthew 3:1-6). Peter was isolated in prison but the church prayed constantly for him (Acts 12:5). We weren’t created to do this life alone but our culture trumpets an opposing view. All of life’s heartaches and troubles are hopelessly suppressed through a belief system that declares “You Are Enough.” One bad report is all it takes to shatter that myth.
During His time on earth, Jesus modeled what it means to live life in community. Whether breaking bread with societal outcasts, or preaching the gospel to the masses, Jesus was all about relational connections. Consider the story in John 11 where Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the grave. After performing such a miracle, He could have easily commanded Lazarus’s grave clothes to fall off him, but He didn’t do that. Instead, Jesus instructed the community that had gathered around to unwrap their friend and set him free.
The lesson here is that everyone needs to feel like they belong. It is our privilege to be a part of a body that comforts those who are mourning a loss, rejoices with those who are celebrating life, and helps those who are bound by issues they cannot resolve alone.
Action Steps
In what ways are you connected to a community of believers? If you are not currently serving within the church body, consider finding a team to serve with and be deliberate about helping others fit in.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me with the faith I need to serve You and Your church body. Continue using me in ways I’m not aware of to bless my community of brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Reflection
We can search the Bible from cover to cover but we’ll not find one example of a solitary saint fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. John the Baptist carried out his ministry in the wilderness, yet he was surrounded by people (Matthew 3:1-6). Peter was isolated in prison but the church prayed constantly for him (Acts 12:5). We weren’t created to do this life alone but our culture trumpets an opposing view. All of life’s heartaches and troubles are hopelessly suppressed through a belief system that declares “You Are Enough.” One bad report is all it takes to shatter that myth.
During His time on earth, Jesus modeled what it means to live life in community. Whether breaking bread with societal outcasts, or preaching the gospel to the masses, Jesus was all about relational connections. Consider the story in John 11 where Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the grave. After performing such a miracle, He could have easily commanded Lazarus’s grave clothes to fall off him, but He didn’t do that. Instead, Jesus instructed the community that had gathered around to unwrap their friend and set him free.
The lesson here is that everyone needs to feel like they belong. It is our privilege to be a part of a body that comforts those who are mourning a loss, rejoices with those who are celebrating life, and helps those who are bound by issues they cannot resolve alone.
Action Steps
In what ways are you connected to a community of believers? If you are not currently serving within the church body, consider finding a team to serve with and be deliberate about helping others fit in.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me with the faith I need to serve You and Your church body. Continue using me in ways I’m not aware of to bless my community of brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One MissionWhere Your Treasure IsThe Antidote to AnxietyINVEST HEARTS AND FINANCES | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONReturn to MeActs 27: 39-44 | The Shipwreck | TCBSTreasures That LastThe Heaps of Hezekiah
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
No Comments