Health for the Body of Christ

God's plan for humanity is not a conglomeration of various unrelated events with a hodgepodge of results. It is as orderly and detailed as the planets in orbit around the sun.

God arranged the planets to all sit at just the right angle and spacing, especially the earth. Our world tilts at the exact slant it needs to support life. Its composition consists of the perfect combination of chemical elements and matter to ensure our existence.

King Jesus is also establishing His Kingdom on the earth in order to physically abide with everyone who is humble enough to accept His call on their life. He incorporates us into His Body of Believers throughout generations and nations from the beginning of time.

God designed His Body so that when one member suffers, we all suffer; and when one member rejoices, we all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26). Unfortunately, Satan makes sure that his character attributes of jealousy, covetousness and pride steal these ideal circumstances from us.

This causes God's Body to operate dysfunctionally, to think more of our self than anyone else, to keep our own priorities as our focus and to lack any concern for those around us who, by their own choices (John 3:18), are lost and destined to spend eternity in hell. 

Many people spend more time on vacations than in service to God's Body; more money on their toys, collections, hobbies and gadgets than on the ministries of the church which promote God's Kingdom. They focus more on their own agenda and endeavors than on the will of God.

They often reject one church Body for another, divorcing their former church family without one regret. They disfigure God's Body - like an eye rolling down the path of life, leaving one church with only one eye and their next church with more than the two eyes it needs (1 Corinthians 12:14-22).

Sometimes, disgruntled people refuse to attend any church at all, despising a part of the Bride of Christ that Jesus gave His life to redeem (2 Corinthians 11:2). They cut themselves off from the fellowship and blessings of their church family.

At times, certain people in our church Body may exasperate us or are irritating and hard to live with, but Christ is patient with us (Romans 5:8), and we can allow the fruit of God's Spirit to help us to be patient with His Body as well (Galatians 5:22-23).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us that when we determine to put our self first, to divorce Your Bride, or to stir up trouble with gossip and dissention, this says more about our character than the short-comings within Your Body. Help us to attain spiritual maturity through Christ in us, so that we can love Your Bride unconditionally and to serve with tireless devotion in the church where You plant us (Luke 6:32).

Your grace enables us to love others as Christ loves us, sacrificially, patiently and selflessly. You do not require us to "like" anyone else, but You do expect us to love them with the love of Christ within us. Help us to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem, by stepping up and faithfully and tirelessly serving Your Bride where we see areas of need.

Thought for the Day:

Our Great Physician is a skilled surgeon who continually operates on the heart of each of us, to give us new life in Him in order to resolve life's most complex issues, to bring peace in the more tumultuous circumstances, and to draw us to the truth of His Word as we all continually abide in His presence.

The Word of God Speaks

 

 

Jesus prophesied His own death several times during his years with His apostles, but they did not grasp the reality of His predictions (John 13:31-32). Jesus was still a young man and they assumed they had years of service still ahead with him. Jesus spent a great deal of time with the apostles, speaking to them about what they needed to know before He left them. They did not fully understand the meaning behind His words, however, until after Pentecost.

When we hear God’s Word, we receive it with joy. The Word of God will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). His Words are Spirit and give us life (John 6:63). The word of God is living and powerful. Like a surgeon’s knife, it penetrates into the deepest recesses of our soul – our thoughts, choices and emotions - and removes the ungodliness present there (Hebrews 4:12). When He uses us to plant the seed of the gospel in fertile soil, it springs forth with plentiful fruit (Luke 8:11).

Even the heavens and skies declare the glorious works of God’s hands (Psalm 19:1). When I consider the size and magnificence of creation, I cannot comprehend it. It is too magnanimous for me to fathom. God uses this very creation to preach His gospel (Romans 1:18-20). Even in countries where missionaries have yet to preach, the heavens are proclaiming God’s righteousness and the people see His glory (Psalm 97:6). If they refrain from believing His truth, it is only because of their rebellion and pride (Romans 1:20).

If we hide God’s Word in our heart, we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). Every word of God is perfect and holy (Proverbs 30:5). We meditate on His precepts and respect His ways, which He lays out for us in the Bible (Psalm 119:15). God breathed every word for our inspiration, instruction, conviction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). We stop and think before we say anything to anyone, and speak only the sincere words, which God gives us to say (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Peter 4:11).

Prayer:

I meditate on Your Word all through the night watches. You are my help, and I hide and rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You for stability and comfort. You hold me up with Your powerful right hand (Psalm 63:6-8). You are my rock and You bring me true salvation. You are my strong fortress, which prevents me from being shaken by the storms and quakes of life (Psalm 62:2). The earth and sky will most definitely be destroyed, but Your Word remains forever (Romans 10:8).

Thought for the Day:

The Word of God is always near us, in our mind and heart and on our lips. – Romans 10:8