@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“I shall not hesitate also to put into ordered form for you, along with the interpretations, everything I learned carefully in the past from the elders and noted down carefully, for the truth of which I vouch. For unlike most people, I took no pleasure in those who told many different stories, but only in those who taught the truth. Nor did I take pleasure in those who reported their memory of someone else’s commandments, but only in those who reported their memory of the commandments given by the Lord to the faith and proceeding from the Truth itself. And if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the elders arrived, I made enquiries about the words of the elders—what Andrew or Peter had said, or Philip or Thomas or James or John or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever Aristion and John the Elder, the Lord’s disciples, were saying. For I did not think that information from the books would profit me as much as information from a living and surviving voice.
~ Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60–130 AD) From the Preface to his lost ‘Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord’
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Defined by Acceptance

How do we respond to rejection? It’s helpful to acknowledge the pain that we feel, but then to bring that pain to Christ for His healing touch. He knows more than anyone what it means to be rejected. Though people may reject us, God accepts us in Christ, and nothing can ever destroy that. Therefore, let us not define ourselves by rejection but by acceptance. Healing begins when we stop seeking our worth in the approval or acceptance of others and anchor our identity in God’s unchanging love for us. Through daily walking and talking with Jesus - praying, reading His Word, and listening for His voice - we are reminded that we are chosen, cherished, and called. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8), soothing our hearts and restoring our joy. In those quiet, faithful moments with Him, we find the truth: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Let rejection push you closer to Jesus, and there you’ll discover healing, purpose, and peace that the world can’t take away.