Bible League: Living His Word All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body.Individual Christians are members of the church of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul likens the church to a body – the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of the body and the rest of us comprise the many parts of the body. Thus, there is one body, one head of the body, and many parts or members of the body. As parts of the body, each one of us has a role to play. Although individual Christians may struggle at times discerning what that is, there is no one in the body without a role. Indeed, you wouldn't be a part of the body if you didn't have a necessary role. Each part has been gifted by the one Spirit with an individual role to play that will benefit the rest of the body. Our roles may change as we mature in the faith, but we always have at least one role. Most may have a number of roles. Given that there are many different parts of the body and that each part has its own unique role to play, it follows that one person's role is not another person's role. We should not make any futile attempts to be like another person. The Spirit has given each person the necessary gifts for their own role and if a person moves outside of that calling they will be functioning outside the leading and empowerment of the Spirit. To be envious of, jealous, or covetous of another person's role has no place in the body of Christ. If a person is having trouble identifying their role, then one good way to resolve the issue is to determine what is actually ministering to other members. If what we are doing is a struggle for us and is not ministering to others, then there is a good chance we have moved outside the call and gifting of the Holy Spirit. Or, if what we are doing is easy for us and ministers to others, then there is a good chance we are moving within the call and gifting of the Holy Spirit – despite whatever doubts we may have about it. Today, be at peace about your place in the body, for you have a unique role to play that is necessary for the good of the whole. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 28, 29, 30 Psalm 28 -- To you, O Lord, I call. My rock, don't be deaf to me NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 29 -- Ascribe to the Lord, you sons of the mighty NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 30 -- I will extol you, O Lord, for you have raised me up NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 21:1-14 Acts 21 -- Paul Sails from Miletus to Jerusalem, Seized in the Temple NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.”Insight How does this verse relate to Luke 9:50: “Anyone who is not against you is for you”? In the earlier passage, Jesus was talking about a person who was driving out demons in Jesus' name. Those who fight evil, he was saying, are on the same side as one driving out demons in Jesus' name. Here, by contrast, he was talking about the conflict between God and the devil. In this battle, if a person is not on God's side, he or she is on Satan's. There is no neutral ground. Because God has already won the battle, why be on the losing side? Challenge If you aren't actively for Christ, you are against him. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than a bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax--what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true, but it is almost smothered; an infant's breath might blow it out; nothing has a more precarious existence than its flame. Weak things are here described, yet Jesus says of them, "The smoking flax I will not quench; the bruised reed I will not break." Some of God's children are made strong to do mighty works for him; God has his Samsons here and there who can pull up Gaza's gates, and carry them to the top of the hill; he has a few mighties who are lion-like men, but the majority of his people are a timid, trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every passer by; a little fearful flock. If temptation comes, they are taken like birds in a snare; if trial threatens, they are ready to faint; their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave, they are drifted along like a sea bird on the crest of the billows--weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially to them. Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus--so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from his touch. We need never fear a harsh word from him; though he might well chide us for our weakness, he rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever.Deuteronomy 4:48 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, even as far as Mount Sion (that is, Hermon), Psalm 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever. Hosea 14:5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. Deuteronomy 32:2 "Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass And as the showers on the herb. Isaiah 55:10,11 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; • So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. John 3:34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. John 1:16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. Psalm 133:2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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