The apostles and prophets and pastors are not called to build up the Body of Christ. Their wok is the perfecting of the saints for the ministry o building up. Every saint is to be trained to take part in building up the Body of Christ. (Google image, The ascension of Christ )
Just as every member of your body helps to build the whole, every believer should know his place and work in the Body of Christ in caring for every other member.
Each of us needs the other. Each one is to feel linked to the whole Body in the love of the Spirit. A Christian should not only avoid doing anything that is selfish or unloving, but actively yield himself to the Spirit to be the instructor and the comforter of all who are weak.
Then it follows—"Till we all come in the unity of the faith . . . unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). Nothing less than maturity is to be the aim of each believer, not only for himself, but for all around him.
Then the Body may experience the fullness of Him who fills all in all. We can "grow up into him in all things,which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together . . . according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:15-16).
The significance of all this in our spiritual life is clear. As long as our prayers only aim at our own perfection and happiness, they defeat themselves. Selfishness prevents the answer.
Only in the union with the whole Body will each member be healthy and strong. Building up the Body of Christ in love is vital to our spiritual health.unity,
Let intercession, "with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit . . . for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18), be proof that the Spirit of unity dwells and prays in us. Let us love the brethren fervently with a pure heart.
In our home life, in prayer meetings, and in all our fellowship with God's children, let our love watch over and encourage them. Always remember that we and they are indispensable to each other.
Let the Spirit of unity inspire our secret devotions. Grace will be given to live in unceasing devotion to Christ to build up His glorious Body in love.
(Chapter 12, pp. 61-63, italics added)
by Andrew Murray
Copyright © 1984
Copyright © 1984
by Whitaker House
Used by permission
Let's pray-
"Father, we come to celebrate the Gift that You sent to us; the birth of Jesus, Emanuel, God with us. We pray that future generations will remember the sacred purpose of this celebration, and follow in our footsteps as we follow You. Jesus, we acknowledge that You are the Word that became flesh and lived among us. You are full of grace and truth, and from You we receive one gift after another. I give You all that I have—I give You myself – spirit, soul and body, and pray that future generations will walk in truth. Amen." (Prayers That Avail Much <dailyprayers@prayers.org)
John 1:1, 14-16
John 1:1, 14-16
Today's Bible verses-
Luke 2:10-14 (NASB) “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. …And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’”
1 Peter 1:3 (NLT) “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.”
Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT) “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
~ Lisa Buffaloe-
Celebrating the Holidays first appeared on https://lisabuffaloe.com
~ Christine Wyrtzen- "Oh, how deep was this fracture in the Garden of Eden. God had made man perfectly. It was man who wanted more, who bought the Serpent’s lie, and then opened his mind to evil. It was a world he was not created to understand nor be compatible with. Evil corrupted him and he began to choose everything that God wouldn’t choose and to think all the things God wouldn’t think. Alienation ensued and the two were separated by a great gulf. Holiness could not reconcile with sinfulness without a miracle.
God’s answer? Send a Reconciler who would also be the Lamb to forgive their sin and restore them to what they once were ~ holy before God. Jesus would be the game changer. Perfected natures would not want to sin. Man's mind would be washed clean completely of defilement. He would think and feel like the indwelling Spirit."
God’s answer? Send a Reconciler who would also be the Lamb to forgive their sin and restore them to what they once were ~ holy before God. Jesus would be the game changer. Perfected natures would not want to sin. Man's mind would be washed clean completely of defilement. He would think and feel like the indwelling Spirit."
Words of wisdom-
~ God designed us to live in close commune with Him. When we cater to other people, aware of their expectations, we lose awareness of Him. Let's choose to live in the Light of His Peace.
~ Today, choose the chores that are important, letting petty tasks slip into the background of your mind. Seek God's Face continually throughout this day, and let His Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being.
Today's guest post-
There’s Room for You
by Nancy Demary
"This Christmas, will you Make Room in your heart to receive Him? Are you willing to lay your life down, just as He did for you? The abiding joy He gives, the peace that passes all understanding, and God’s love will overtake the inner turmoil and response to another’s poor choices. There is room at the cross for you . . . will you come?"
List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam NY church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Upcoming posts-
What Happens at New Hampshire's Teen Challenge?
#27 Enjoying God's Presence
31st- Tuesday's post by Andrew Murray
#28 The Revelation of Jesus
1/2nd- Thursday's post by Andrew Murray
Grace for the Imperfect
4th- Saturday's post by Kelly Balaire
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| Make winter fun this year |
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