God builds the body, give it an assignment, and equips it to carry out its assignment
p.222
Share to the group a statement or scripture that resonates with you from today’s reading and a responding prayer…
Life in the Body
God builds the body, give it an assignment, and equips it to carry out its assignment
p.222
Share to the group a statement or scripture that resonates with you from today’s reading and a responding prayer…
I really like the point made about God adding a new person to our congregation and what that means for us as a church. Many time when I see a newcomer that comes to RP, I am happy and start to think immediately, just like how the devotion said, how can God use that newcomer towards His kingdom. Praise God that through the church, I am able to enter into covenant relationship with Christ and His people so that I can keep seeing more amazing things God is doing through the members. I am reminded of how important it is to be a member of God’s church and as I reflected on the questions asked in the devotion, I can see how important it is have a home church that I can worship at every week.
God, thank you for providing me my church where I can grow and be Your servant. I pray that You would continue to use me to be a part of Your work here on earth.
The reading today wrapped up everything we read this week. It’s important that we know what our fellow church members are doing, and not get caught up in the religion and logistical views of it. Like the story of the girl who came to faith and everyone was unfazed. Gods work should be shared with all, not only to help with praying and assisting in the work, but also to celebrate together too. The takeaway from this whole week was to stay humble and keep your mind open to what God is doing among others, even if you don’t like the person in particular. God won’t talk exactly how I expect him to, so I should keep my eyes and heart open. God help me recognize your voice and give me the discipline to actually do it.
From don
“When God builds a local church as the body of Christ, He adds members to the body and trains them to match the assignment He has for that body. He builds a local church body in a way that enables it to respond to Him. Then God accomplishes His purposes through it.”
This principle really resonated with me in that it really got me thinking. First, I thought about the members of our own church- RP. I remember Bumble sharing in the sermon on Sunday about how they recognized that several members of RP were in the medical field, and the way in which they sensed God would use that for His purposes.
Then I thought about our own small group here- the way in which each of us is growing in God through this study and our fellowship, and the way in which God might use that to fulfill His purposes individually, within our families, and as a body.
Lastly, I thought about my own addition to the body at RP. Why has God put me and my family at this church? Seems like a basic question, but I had never really considered it in these certain terms. It is an exciting way to think about it really. Each of us was brought into RP in order to better equip the church to accomplish His purposes for the body! I will be praying about this😊
Lord, we thank You that You have brought each of us into Your body! I pray that we would seek to know the assignment You have for this body, and that we would seek to be equipped to accomplish Your purposes. I pray that as a body, we would work together in unity and love to further Your kingdom here on earth in the way in which You’ve called us.
“ The body cares for each member of the bodies so that together all members become more complete in love and in Christ.”
This statements helps me re-examine myself and think, am I being a team player for God? Or the church body? I often times notice that I’m quick to be distant when it comes to new members of the church. Maybe I’m afraid that I’m wasting my time because they might leave like some others did, so I think what’s the point? Or I’m skeptical to let new people in because I’m comfortable with who and what I know. But I see the need to take covenant relationships seriously and still love and care for those that enter no matter what. I’m just as broken. I need to remember that I was once a new follower too and it wasn’t easy. I need to learn how to love and foster ALL relationships that are big and small. I made this commitment as a member of the church & I’m apart of a community that stands for growing together and serving one another. God fix my eyes on you and allow me to recognize that you loved me first so I can love others. Soften my heart and allow me to do the work you intended for me. I know that I’m not perfect, but you still pursue me. I pray that I pursue those who want to know you. I pray that I am able to lead them towards you so we can experience you.