The importance and blessing of community during seasons of chaos

This past week, I have had the grand opportunity to share a devotion each morning on the Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) PrayerNet call. The following is the devotion I shared on day five, to close out the series. Links to the others can be found in the opening article (posted on 2/16/2022).

Good morning, Mighty Men of God.

It is quite a blessing when one gets an opportunity to be the instrument of God’s word.

So, I want to start out this morning by thanking John Posey for inviting me to share with you this week, and for all you mighty men of God who have made this possible.

You guys make a great team.

I hope you are hearing me call you out as the Mighty Men of God.

Romans 8:18-19 encourages us:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

The sons of God are the mighty men of God revealed in this day. Their revealing – as houses that stand in the storms and chaos of this decade – are much needed… and much anticipated.

If you don’t know about David’s Mighty Men, I suggest you look them up (2Samuel 23).

David’s Mighty Men are a foreshadow of the Mighty Men of God being called forth in this season of storms and chaos.

One of them, Adino the Eznite, killed 800 Philistines at one time… by himself. Well, not really by himself.

Can you imagine the scene?

You’ve gotta know that Adino the Eznite must have known it wasn’t him. He was the sword in God’s hand.

When I wonder how many Philistines I would have killed, I realize it would have been more than I expect and more than I am capable of.

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

God is working in you to both will and to do to His good pleasure, which is to give you His kingdom.

I hope you have heard a word from God this week that has increased your faith. I hope you have learned a few things about navigating through seasons of chaos, and helping others do the same.

I do not claim to be a prophet, but I have become convinced beyond doubt – by both research and prayer – that this will be the most storm-filled and chaotic decade we will experience in the totality of our lives.

People will lose their proverbial houses – individuals, families, and fellowships. We must be ready – our houses standing strong – to offer them refuge, encouragement, and wisdom for the reconstruction of their spiritual house.

God has a purpose for every storm He creates, He creates a purpose from every storm He allows, and His purposes will not be withheld from Him.

This morning, we are going to wrap-up our series by considering the importance of community in navigating chaos.

To begin, let us consider: There are no lone rangers in the kingdom of God. We will not survive, much less thrive, in the chaos on our own. That applies to individuals, families, and fellowships.

One of the ways God will work the storms and chaos of this decade to our good is by unifying us as individuals, unifying our families with other families, and breaking down the divisions that exist between fellowships.

He will do so in answer to His Son’s prayer, found in John 17:20-23:

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

The reality of this passage is not something we live out in our heads. It is not an emotional exercise, something we hope would happen. Living in unity is a work of the Father to which we must give our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

The Bride of Christ will not come hobbling to the altar. She will not be missing any of her members. She will be perfect and beautiful. God will use the storms and chaos of this decade to encourage and help make her ready for the wedding day of His Son.

I want you to see how this passage relates to CBMC’s mission, particularly the part about presenting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and developing Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.

As we know, the CBMC mission includes the evangelization of the workplace. If you look carefully at Jesus’ prayer, you will find that God’s way for evangelism is through our unity.

Living in unity with one another prompts God to reveal His glory, the glory He has given to His Son, and the glory Jesus has passed on to us.

During our house fire adventure, friends and neighbors came with comfort and aide – instruments of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Helper. Somehow, they understood what we really needed. The comfort and encouragement we received from God through the Body of Christ was truly remarkable.

This is key: Most was from community we had already built. I know this makes sense, but does it make enough sense to pursue community now.

One of the strongest desires God has placed in my heart during this season is the hunger for deeper community.

A. W. Tozer said, “The reason so many Christians so often move from church to church is to find community. The problem with that strategy: Community is not found, it is built.”

At the risk of sounding preaching, let me offer this warning and encouragement: The community you enjoy right now is not the community God has in mind… and it is likely not the community that will enable and empower you to thrive in the storms and chaos that lie ahead of us.

Ask God to identify, stir, and deeper the desire in your heart for community. Surrender your way to Him, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. That’s His promise in Psalm 37:4-6.

One of my strongest encouragements for joining CBMC has been the witness of God the Father answering His Son’s prayer within the ministry. He has encouraged unity, John and the leadership team have responded, and He will bless the work, if only to say to the world, “That’s what I am looking for.”

Well, mighty men of God, that is all we have for you this morning.

Thank you again for allowing me to be God’s instrument this week.

I love you guys, and I appreciate the life and the light of Jesus Christ that is in you.

God bless you with courage and grace for the God ordained opportunities and adventures that will come riding in on the continuing storms of this decade.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

P.S. The men on the CBMC PrayerNet call recite an affirmation each morning. Here’s the one we used for this devotion (reckon it to be so in your life): God is bringing many sons to glory. Their houses will stand strong in the storms of this decade. With God, all things are possible. Let us now become His houses of refuge, encouragement, and wisdom.