Thoughts for Life: JOINED BY JESUS

JOINED BY JESUS

XOCHITL DIXON- "Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch sits on the side of a road as if striding alongside travelers. The artist created the eighteen-foot-tall, free-standing arch with thirty-six blocks of Scottish sandstone without using mortar or pins.

The ascending angled stones, each one different and cut to fit together, depend on pressure created by a wedge-shaped keystone—the top center stone—to remain perfectly intact. The keystone is essential to holding the structure together, much like a cornerstone.

The sculpture reminded me of how Jesus serves as "the chief cornerstone" of His diverse church (Ephesians 2:20). The gentiles—all non-Jewish people—were once "excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world" (v.12).

Jesus made "the two groups one" and "destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He created one new humanity, and in one body [reconciled] both of them to God through the cross," giving them all "access to the Father by one Spirit.

Christ builds us up as a church in which He lives by His Spirit. He sculpts each unique person, connects us to Him and to each other through Him, and walks with us. The church is joined by Jesus.

Let's pray-

Father, Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch sits on the side of a road as if striding alongside travelers. The artist created the eighteen-foot-tall, free-standing arch with thirty-six blocks of Scottish sandstone without using mortar or pins.

The sculpture reminds of how Jesus serves as the chief cornerstone of His diverse church. The Gentiles—all non-Jewish people—were once excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without You in the world.

Jesus made the two groups one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He created one new humanity, and in one body [reconciled] both of them to You through the cross, giving them all access to You by one Spirit.
Christ builds us up as a church in which we live by Your Spirit. He sculpts each unique person, connects us to Him and to each other through Him, and walks with us. The church is joined by Jesus. We give thanks in and for Jesus' honor. Amen

My weekly advice from the book, Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller:

(p. 10) "I remember fighting the daily parenting battle. Picking up toys, putting children to bed, then turning around to find more toys and kids not in their beds. Life can be exhausting, on a good day. In tears, I called a friend who advised, 'When you feel you can't take any more, just burst out laughing.' I did. Laughing worked! Soon, everyone started laughing and life was bright again."

#134 Testimony- A friend

"God is a great Provider. He always comes through when we are in need! Not only for my husband and me, but for our adult children. He provides from unexpected places when funds are short. He cares SO much for us!"

1816-1820 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1816- Jer. 7:32a "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD."

1817- Ps. 138:3 "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and

strengthenest me with strength in my soul."

1818- Ecc. 2:12a "And I turned myself to behold."

1819- Jer. 2:29a "Wherefore will ye plead with me?"

1820- Ez. 5:8a "Behold, I, even I, am against thee."

#134 Hymn- Behold the Glories of the Lamb

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor.

Some encouraging words-

When you come to something God wants to say to you, don't rush forward to ensure you fulfill your reading plan. You are here to meet with God in the morning: to set the course of your day, to cleanse your heart and to purify the double mindedness of your mind, to receive any instructions and fresh words from God for you and others on this particular day, and to put your head back and ask the question of God: "What do You want me to do today?"

Church Notes: I AIM TO BE THAT MAN!

We're to desire tasks that are trustworthy.

What we are aspiring to do will demand accountability.

We're to seek noble tasks that include work! Show up the next day!

Character-building for the King of kings.

Intentionally serving the Lord God in whatever our work is.

Not all men are called to serve.

When shaken, what comes out of the mouth? Character matters!

May our mature men work through opportunities of the tasks at hand.

We're to grow deeper in faith before leadership is given.

Upcoming posts:

4/25- A HOME YET TO COME- Jody Potgeter